Rafuse solid in return to Cats

TRURO - Kirk Rafuse made a triumphant return to Colchester Legion Stadium on
Saturday night, as the 18-year-old netminder backstopped his Truro Jr. A Bearcats to a 7-1 victory over the Bridgewater Lumberjacks.
Rafuse, who spent most of last season with the Lewiston Maineiacs of the Quebec major junior league, was loaned to the Halifax Jr. A Wolverines late last season. He played one game in Truro as a visitor and lost 5-0. Rafuse said it was nice to be back in the stadium on the home side.
"It's great, I love it," he said outside the dressing room.
The win is the third straight for the Cats to open the season. It was also the third different goalie Truro used in the first week of the season. But Rafuse said there was no more pressure to play well given the crease competition.
"It's always important every night to play your best," he said.
Coach Shawn Evans said each netminder has played well and deserves another crack as the team enters a stretch that will see them play four games in six nights starting
Thursday in New Glasgow.
In Saturday's home opener, Truro stayed true to the style of hockey that has made them a model franchise. They were aggressive on the forecheck, played well defensively and paid the price to win the game by blocking numerous shots.
"We always have the best defence here and they helped me out a lot," Rafuse said.
Truro also received plenty of offence, led by third-year forward Ben Dempsey, who was named the game's first star after recording a goal and three assists.
"Coach is always saying to drive wide and shoot the puck and it just went in," he said.
"It's a great feeling ... I don't get too many stars."
Evans said Dempsey is a big forward who skates well.
"Ben's not going to be a four-point-a-night player, but I am glad to see it was his turn last night," he said Sunday.
It was a special night for Upper Stewiacke's Jimmy Scullion who has attended games since he was eight years old. The 18-year-old never suspected he would be playing for the big club.
"It's awesome. I love the fans," said Scullion, who skated with Dempsey and Jon Reid.
While Truro has outscored its opponents 20-3 so far this season, don't expect the Cats to deviate from their bread and butter.
"You always have a chance at the end of the game if you're not giving many (goals) against," Evans said. "That's always been the Bearcat way for the last six years and it's not going to change in year seven."

jmalloy@trurodaily.com

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