You learn more from a loss than you do from a win – that’s what they say.
For sure, there was no way the Yarmouth Mariners were prepared to be easy picking, to allow the Bearcats to come in and rain on their celebrations.
While the Bearcats did have a good start, they lost patience when big saves left them empty-handed. Forcing things didn’t help.
The simple road game went out the window. The Mariners exercised sufficient patience and composure to make the Bearcats pay for their mistakes.
When opportunities surfaced, the Mariners capitalized. The Bearcats chased most of the time and just couldn’t close the gap.
At the end of the day, the Bearcats didn’t play well enough but there were some positives. Both Bearcat goals came from rookies. It appears the youngsters are ready to input.
The coaches were clearly able to identify strengths and weaknesses. There will be no shortage of things to do this week in practice.
Certainly there’s little turnaround time before facing the Mariners again. The Bearcats are back in Yarmouth tomorrow night.
Teams play divisional rivals eight times in regular season play. Those opportunities to correct things and right the ship are available.
Wednesday, the Bearcats will be in Amherst to face the Ramblers. That game gets underway at 7:00 pm.
The Ramblers are fresh from hosting the 2019 Fred Page Cup and are in a re-tooling mode. Like the Bearcats, there is a solid nucleus complemented by a host of new faces.
Competition within the Eastlink South Division should be keen from the get – go. Successful teams learn early there can be no nights off and alterations will be made right in to the new year.
No team has all of its players on the same page at this stage of the year. That process has begun but it takes time.
Early season losses can speed up that process. Game plans are designed for a reason. Departure from them, intentionally or forced, usually didn’t bear good results.
The marathon consisting of 52 games is now fully underway for all 12 participating teams.
It should be a lot of fun.