If you expect to win you have to do the things necessary to make it happen.
Leaving things to chance doesn’t work, regardless of the competition.
The Truro Bearcats’ weekend split showed a few sides of the young roster. In one game, they looked awful, by times; the other, they were quite sharp.
In the 2 – 1 win over the Valley Wildcats, the Bearcats faced a lineup depleted of veteran leadership due to the moves made at the Trade Deadline.
They faced an unfamiliar team. A gentlemen’s game broke out. Both teams went through the motions.
There were a couple of positives: the Bearcats found a way to win (OT) and they won a game they should have won.
Saturday a strong Bearcat start against Yarmouth was largely unrewarded. The chances were there but capitalization wasn’t.
The Mariners are first in their Division for a reason. They have numerous ways to win. Experience can do that.
Truro’s bid to make a run in the third period was stymied by penalties and a young goalie who shut the door.
That loss, the fifth to the Mariners, showed the Bearcats how they need to play. That’s a positive.
This week, the Bearcats have three games, starting tonight (7:00 pm) in Summerside, then home to face Grand Falls (Friday) and South Shore (Saturday).
On paper, the Summerside Capitals are the strongest team in the MHL, even more so after the Trade Deadline. The Bearcats best bring their “A” game.
Grand Falls, formerly the Woodstock Slammers, make their first visit to Truro. The Rapids have built a competitive team around five Slammers who came with the franchise.
Saturday, the fourth place South Shore Lumberjacks are at the RECC. They have won two of three against Truro and have an eye on moving up in the standings.
For sure, this is a particularly challenging week for the Bearcats.
Getting better remains the focus.