The Truro Bearcats enter this week first overall in the MHL.
It didn’t come easily, but the current position is well earned, and not without a whole lot of pressure.
Last Thursday, the Summerside Capitals came to Truro looking to create some separation in the Eastlink Standings. They accomplished that with the 2-1 road win.
It was a hard fought game featuring solid goaltending at both ends. Both teams had their opportunities, but the Capitals had a bit more puck luck in getting the win.
Saturday, in Summerside, the Bearcats scored four unanswered goals in the opening period, three of them on the powerplay.
The Capitals, the MHL’s most penalized team, paid the price early, and were unable to come all the way back as the Bearcats went on to take the 4-3 win.
Sunday, with the Capital loss in Amherst, and Truro’s win over Valley, the Bearcats moved to the top spot with 45 points, two up on Summerside.
The win over Valley required some OT dramatics. Truro looked flat in the early going and were uncharacteristically careless in their own end and quickly went down three unanswered.
They clawed their way back, taking the lead on Nate Curson’s goal midway through the third, then clinched the win on Curson’s second goal of the game in the extra session.
It was a frustrating game to play, and frustrating to watch but the Bearcats did put it together to find a way to win. On the season Truro and Valley matchups sit at two wins apiece.
The Bearcats finish their pre-Christmas schedule with a pair of home games this week. First up is a game with Pictou County on Thursday.
The Crushers sit third in the Division with 35 points. The Bearcats have played them tough over their first four meetings, winning three of them.
Saturday, the Capitals are back in town for the sixth meeting of the season with the Bearcats. Truro has won three of them, but all five games have been decided by a single goal.
There is no need to say these two games are big games, for all concerned.
The MHL Christmas Break extends from December 21st to start up January 2nd when the Bearcats are slated to play in Yarmouth.