To date, the Truro Bearcats have had their fair share coming out on the good side. Not last weekend, though.
Friday, the Bearcats faced the MHL’s best early season team, the Edmundston Blizzard. That team blew into Nova Scotia undefeated, and left the same way.
The Blizzard transition game was impressive. Their attack was quick and relentless, taking away both time and space.
The Bearcats, for the most part, played them straight up. A costly third turnover, however, proved the difference in the outcome.
The Blizzard prevented Truro from completing a sweep of its six-game homestand. Saturday’s game in Yarmouth was the first of five games on the road before the Bearcats enjoy the confines of the RECC.
The Mariners, who split outings with Truro, got out of the gate quickly. They were ready to go.
Truro got some big penalty kills to keep things close and a solid third period proved to be too little, too late.
The Blizzard and Mariners are both skilled teams. It’s important to make them play the full 200 feet of ice.
For sure, the Bearcats need more than one solid period a game on the road to succeed.
The Bearcats are still in the process of developing their game, determining what they need to do and avoiding what they can’t afford to do.
All MHL teams were in the MHL Showcase Tuesday and Wednesday in Summerside. Exposing the MHL brand to scouts and recruiters in the CIS, NCAA and pro ranks is a league commitment.
Truro lost 4-1 to Miramichi on Tuesday and fell 4-1 to Edmundston on Wednesday.
The Bearcats are in Campbellton tonight, then in Miramichi Saturday. These games conclude the busy road set.
The Tigers play a tough, physical game, perhaps more so at home. The Bearcats defeated them two weeks ago at the RECC.
After meeting in the showcase, there will be no secrets between the Bearcats and Timberwolves on Saturday.
This is a busy Bearcat week but not unlike others face. It comes with the territory in junior hockey.
Gerry Hale is media relations co-ordinator for the Truro Bearcats junior A hockey team.
