In a competitive League, outcomes should remain in doubt right up to the end.
The Bearcats were involved in three games last week where momentum could have changed on a dime.
Last Thursday, the Chaleur Lightning and Bearcats had a close one going heading into the third. An offensive outburst by the Lightning, followed by a heavy response from the Bearcats, saw seven goals scored in the final period. The Lightning came out on top 7-5.
Friday, in Summerside, Truro scored late in the third to force OT. The Capitals won on a penalty shot goal in the last minute of the extra session. The solid road game earned the Bearcats a big point.
Sunday, the Bearcats built up a three-goal lead midway into the final period and appeared to have the game in hand. The Crushers scored a pair late, coming up short on the 4-3 score.
A trio of Bearcat rookies made major contributions over the three games. Drew Keiver (18, Dartmouth) scored two goals and two assists, nine points for the season, just two behind Chaleur’s Carter Bromley among MHL Rookie scorers. Keiver played the 2022-2023 with Rothesay Netherwood, as well as with the Nova Scotia Canada Games team. He spent the last two seasons with Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts. A 2023 Moncton Wildcat pick and 2025 Bearcat draft choice has been a productive scorer at all levels.
Nathan Curson (18, Mallorytown, ON) chipped in three goals and one assist, as well, giving him six points for the season. He and linemates Austin Hoyt and Matthew Bolduc constitute a consistent threat each outing.
Goalie Louca Connolly (18, Mercier, QC), in five appearances, sits with a 3-0-2 record, having compiled a 2.54 GAA and 0.920 SV%.
The Bearcats finished September play far differently from last season. In the Eastlink South Division, the Bearcats are in second spot, coming into this week with a 4-2-2 giving them 10 points, one behind the Summerside Capitals.
The Pictou County Crushers are third with 7 points, followed by Yarmouth (4) and Amherst and Valley, each with 2 points.
The Bearcats play at the RECC this Thursday against the Amherst Ramblers. Truro holds a come from behind win over the Ramblers in their first meeting.
Friday, the Bearcats travel to Yarmouth for a 7:00 PM start against the Mariners. Truro shut them out last month.