TRURO - In spite of an upset loss, the Truro Bearcats remain second among junior A hockey clubs in Canada.
The Bearcats (16-1-0-1) were ranked No. 2 for the fourth consecutive week as the Canadian Junior Hockey League released it's weekly list Monday.
Alberta's Brooks Bandits (20-0-0-0) continue to hold the top spot while the Summerside Western Capitals (14-3-2-0) creeped up to 13th. The Yarmouth Mariners (14-4-0-0) also climbed back into the top-20, ending up 16th.
The Bearcats suffered a 5-3 setback to the Campbellton Tigers (5-13-1-0) Saturday at Colchester Legion Stadium in what was their first loss in regulation this season. The only other blemish came Oct. 21 in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Summerside Western Capitals.
Truro also gave the Bridgewater Lumberjacks a 9-3 thrashing on Friday in Bridgewater.
Even so, the Bearcats pace the Maritime Junior Hockey League with a three-point cushion over the Capitals. They've scored the most goals with 87 and have allowed the fewest with 34, 10 less than the next-best Mariners.
The Bearcats' mettle will be tested this week in a demanding schedule that has them travelling to Woodstock to take on the Slammers Friday at 7:30 p.m. before returning home to host the Mariners Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and the Miramichi Timberwolves Sunday at 7 p.m.
