At the end of the First Quarter, the Truro Bearcats have a piece of second place in the Eastlink South Division.
That has a nice sound to it. Besides that, the position was earned. The Bearcats are recovering from a three-game-three night chunk of the schedule. It was grueling but rewarding.
Last Wednesday, the Bearcats played two solid periods against the South Shore Lumberjacks, but the third displayed some disappointing moments.
Some last minute dramatics allowed Truro to move into OT. The Lumberjacks won in the Shoot Out.
In the return match, Thursday, the Bearcats squandered a three goal lead, only to lose in OT. When you score five on the road, you should win. OT should not have been necessary.
In the opening weeks of the season, the Bearcats were on the winning side of the close ones. Not so last week, but they didn’t come away empty-handed.
Last Friday, the Bearcats recorded four unanswered second period goals to dump the Amherst Ramblers. That increased the number of believers in this young Bearcat team.
In that one, the Bearcats were very concerned about playing Bearcat hockey – forecheck, limit easy chances and reduce time and space. Great execution.
The Bearcats are a scrappy, hard-working team, willing to fight you for the puck. They’re not geared for the end-to-end game others prefer.
It’s good to note the Bearcats picked up points in the last six games. While guilty of playing in spurts by times, rolling four lines has been a strength.
This weekend, the Bearcats travel north to Campbellton to face the Tigers, 7:30 Friday. Saturday they are in Miramichi for a 7:30 pm match-up with the Timberwolves.
The Tigers are off to a strong start, currently sitting in second spot in their Division. The Bearcats are familiar with the Timberwolves, owning a Showcase win over them.
Every week brings its challenges. The Bearcats meet them straight up.