Questions arise when your team is on a skid.
The best way to answer is to win games. The Truro Bearcats did just that last weekend, picking up a pair of home ice victories.
There was no standing around wondering what would happen. The Bearcats got out of the gate quickly and stuck to their attack plan.
When the dust settled the Bearcats scored eight even-strength goals. The Valley Wildcats responded with one in the middle frame.
It was a convincing win with contributions throughout the Bearcat lineup. Seeing the team back doing what has worked in the past was rewarding.
In Saturday’s win over the Pictou County Crushers the Bearcats scored three first period goals en route to a 3-2 win.
Credit the Bearcats penalty-kill units for doing their job, allowing one goal in five opportunities. In a close contest that constituted too many opportunities to a hungry visitor.
The rookie-laden Crushers would be disappointed with the outcome but not with the effort and obvious growth in team play.
The Bearcats enter the week in the fourth spot in the Eastlink South Division, ahead of the South Shore Lumberjacks and the Crushers, while possessing games in hand over all others in the Division.
The November Schedule has the Bearcats at home for three games and on the road for seven. For the Bearcat newcomers, this will be their introduction to different venues, several unkind by times.
This week the Bearcats host Amherst Wednesday, then venture to New Glasgow to face the Crushers on Thursday. Friday Truro is in Berwick to meet the Wildcats.
For the Crushers and Wildcats, the games will be their first against the Bearcats on their turf. Truro should expect to see the best their hosts can muster.
There was no question the MHL and its respective franchises were shaken by the collision involving the Miramichi Timberwolves team bus and another vehicle. Support for the team and victim is ongoing.
When the Metro Valley Junior League started back in 1967, all travel was by car. Now all MHL travel is by bus Coach and each team will make twenty-six trips. That constitutes 312 road trips, just part of the CJHL hockey culture.
Be safe.