It was a tough week to be a Bearcat.
Three games in as many nights is a heavy load, made heavier when on the losing end of each.
Illustrated, though, were a number of things: a game is not over until it’s over; close is only important in horseshoes; and, there is only so much gas in the tank.
The Bearcats were at the top of their game last Wednesday against the Amherst Ramblers. It appeared Truro was en route to a victory, possibly a shutout against one of the Division’s top teams.
An errant pass here, a shift too long or a turnover – whatever —the Ramblers forced OT and won it. It was a great Bearcat effort until it wasn’t.
In Pictou County, the Crushers scored a goal each period, while the Bearcats came from behind twice but couldn’t find the equalizer.
The Crushers got a measure of revenge after losing two meetings against the Bearcats in Truro. The rivalry is still alive.
In Berwick, the Valley Wildcats scored six goals before the Bearcats replied once in the third period.
Two Valley powerplay goals to open the second period took the steam out of the Bearcats. It was Valley’s first win over Truro in three meetings.
Best not to spend too much time navel-gazing on last week. Clearly, the team played very well for extended periods of time but things ended as they did.
The emphasis going forward is to work on playing hard and consistently. There are always two teams on the ice, one always trying to inhibit the way you want to do things.
Truro enters the week in the fourth spot in the South Division, playing at the .500 level. The boys know the direction to take.
The team is doing the Northern New Brunswick tour this week with stops in Miramichi and Campbellton. It’s been a while since those names were used in a conversation.
Miramichi is currently in the sixth spot in the North Division, but they also have the MHL’s leading scorer.
Campbellton sits third in that Division, and have the MHL’s second-leading scorer.
There are no easy weekends.