Bearcat Banter: Hit the Road

Home Openers are great but it’s always good to have them behind you, and always good to win yours.

For sure there was plenty of anxiety throughout the MHL about getting play underway, and safely.

Nine teams had the opportunity to get games in. Only Amherst, Summerside and Campbellton have yet to play.

In fact, because of the ongoing situation in Health Zone 5 in New Brunswick, Campbellton’s scheduled game for later this week has already been rescheduled.

Here’s hoping this does not become a common occurrence throughout the year. We must all do our part.

The Bearcats and Valley Wildcats came to play. It was fast, end-to-end play and not a thing of beauty.

First games are like that. The Bearcats were good in some areas. It was obvious they need work in areas, but they played a full sixty minutes.

The big lesson, for those new to the MHL, is leads don’t always mean much. In the MHL, teams don’t go away.

Both teams will have learned plenty from the outing. The fine tuning is underway.

Credit the RECC management for its due diligence regarding all required protocols, and to the fans for adhering to them — well done.

This week the Bearcats hit the road for games in South Shore, Friday, then Saturday in Amherst for the Rambler Home Opener.

Both contests will provide the young Bearcats with the opportunity to meet some veteran lineups in less than friendly venues. Call it character building.

The Bearcats are pleased to have 20 year-old defenceman, Leon Denny in the lineup. He played the 2016 -2017 season with the Bearcats and the last three with the Shawinigan Cataractes.

The roster has become stronger and deeper. Competition for playing time obviously has picked-up.

That’s always a good thing.