Let’s go back to Maritime Hockey League action at the Rath-Eastlink Community
Centre Friday night, Nov. 10.
Truro Bearcats were leading Amherst Ramblers 2-0 early in the second period. It was a close battle and the next goal could be a big one?
At the 11:12 mark, the Bearcats’ Noah Archibald scored a beauty, making it 3-0.
And Archibald wasn’t done – he fired another one home at 17:29. With Archibald’s back-to-back goals likely being the turning point in the hockey game, the Bearcats went on to a 5-1 win.
“It was nice,” Archibald, 19, of Harmony, commented. “I hadn’t been scoring much this season. It was nice to finally get rewarded, it was nice to do it in a big win for our hockey team.”
As a hockey player Archibald is a good-sized right winger; he’s a solid two-way player who doesn’t mind the rough going in tight quarters. A strong skater and a real asset to the Bearcats, Archibald has been playing possibly the best hockey of his career on a line with Elliot McGuire at centre and Luke MacMillian at left wing.
And, talking with Archibald one-on-one, here’s a young athlete as humble and as gentlemanly as you’d care to meet. Earlier this week we reflected on a difficult time in his hockey career.
“I suffered a broken shoulder in a car accident during July of 2016,” Archibald said.
“I was coming along pretty good but in mid-September I became sick. I found out that I had mono. Later, I was diagnosed with meningitis; it was really serious. I was really sick, I went through a serious health issue. Overall, I spent two weeks in the QEII and a week in the Truro hospital.”
The rangy forward would not return to the ice to skate until late November.
“The other players were in mid-season form; it was definitely a big challenge to try and catch up. Around January 10, I played my first game. For the rest of the season I had to work really hard. I put in a lot of extra practice time and eventually I got back to playing my game.”
Archibald explained that the Bearcats went on a real mission during the latter part of the 2016-17 season.
“Winning the Maritime championship was really something, it was kind of a great ending to what had been a difficult year personally. I was so happy to be part of it; winning a championship with the Bearcats was something I always wanted.”
Archibald broke in with the Bearcats in 2014-15.
“This is actually my fourth season. I have a chance to play five years for Truro. It’s really exciting, it would be special to play five seasons with the Bearcats. I don’t take it for granted, it’s really a huge honour. Some players only get to play a couple of seasons of junior A hockey.”
Getting into hockey came early for Archibald.
“I played my first hockey on my pond in Harmony when I was five. That stands out as one of my earliest memories of having an interest in hockey. After that I played in the
Truro & Area Minor Hockey Association; I was always happiest when I was at the rink.
Hockey always brought a smile to my face.”
A graduate of CEC, for a career, Archibald plans to pursue law enforcement or being a firefighter.
Tonight at 7 p.m. at the RECC Archibald and the Bearcats play host to Woodstock
Slammers.
* * *
The 2017 Colchester County Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony was well attended at the Marigold Cultural Centre Friday night, Nov. 10.
Inductees included motorcycle racer Gary MacKinnon, recreation’s Doug MacKenzie, body builder Herb Peppard, world champion curlers Team Pinkney, gifted athlete Jennifer (Lloyd) McKenzie and the Truro District Hockey League.
“It was a great event, there was lots to reminisce about,” said Ashley Simms, chair of the Truro Sport Heritage Society. “This year’s inductees came from different backgrounds but shared a common love for sport and recreation. The evening was full of stories, laughs and networking; it was an honour to be involved.”
Food was served and just a story or two were told following inductions; a great night for sports.
Give high marks to master of ceremony Danny Joseph and the TSHS.
Lyle Carter’s sports column appears Saturdays in the Truro Daily News. If you have a story idea, contact him at 902 673-2857.
