The Truro Bearcats ended their final week of regular season play
in fine style, winning all four games played.
Whether at home or on the road, they found ways to come out
on top. There were no easy games, especially Wednesday’s OT win
Grand Falls.
For the Bearcats this one may go down as “Wicket Wednesday”.
Imagine, driving to that community, play an overtime game, then drive
home.
The team wrapped up play with wins at home against Amherst
and a road win in Berwick, the second win over Valley in the week.
So, the goal of getting to the playoffs has been reached, for the
twenty-sixth time in twenty-six years.
That’s a remarkable record, unmatched in that time span by any
other MHL team. Being a constant contender is a gift to this
community.
As anticipated, the Round One competition will be the Valley
Wildcats. Yarmouth and Pictou County meet in the other Eastlink
South semi-final.
The Bearcats and Wildcats have recent playoff history, going
seven games last year in the Divisional Final. It was a dandy.
The Bearcats came out on top of that one, and have had the
upper hand this year winning six of eight meetings.
All that doesn’t mean anything now. The playoffs, referred to as
the “real” season is a sprint – first one to reach four, wins.
The Bearcats are a team which underwent a retool since last
year, in all zones. Management was deliberate in the process.
The goal tending tandem is new to the MHL. A rookie from
Antigonish and a veteran from Calgary have handled the puck
stopping chores.
Defensively, only Jacobs Christie ( 3rd year) and sophomores
Josh Steele and Simon Mullen have MHL experience.
The defensive corps was bolstered with the acquisition of three
rearguards with Major Junior experience. It became a good mix.
Same thing up front, only Tanner Humber-Dredge (3rd year) and
sophomores, James Beaton and Andyn Furmidge had experienced
MHL play.
Experienced acquisitions and a splash of rookie energy meshed
over time to make this team a formidable opponent offensively.
On paper, it all looks good, and new goals are set. Let’s get it
done.
Round One opens in Truro, Sunday, March 19.
Bearcat-of-the-Week honours went to Captain, Brendan Bays.
Credit him for his effort bringing this group together, by doing his job
in the defensive zone and contributing 52 points in the offensive zone.