Planning is important, but things don’t always go as planned.
The Truro Bearcats had all of last week to prepare for last Friday’s matchup with the Yarmouth Mariners. The focus was clear.
In the early going the Bearcats stuck to script. The chances were there. They went toe-to-toe with the MHL’s top team.
The team was playing the way they wanted to play, however, they weren’t rewarded. That’s when the Mariners took over, scoring three unanswered second period goals.
The Mariners are a veteran, smart, and good team. They wait for you to make mistakes.
Well, the Bearcats gave them their opportunities to capitalize. There were lessons there. It relates to the mental side of the game. It’s about sticking together as a group when things don’t go as planned.
The Mariners were full marks for the win. If the Bearcats need a benchmark, they saw one Friday.
This week the Bearcats prepare for three road games. They do so with five Bearcats at the Eastern Canada Cup Challenge.
Tonight, the team is in New Glasgow to face the Crushers, 7 p.m. at the Wellness Centre. Bearcat success to date against the Crushers is impressive but the Crushers are looking at this game to turn things around.
Saturday, the Bearcats will be in Edmundston to face the MHL’s defending champs. The Blizzard are in a partial rebuild and have been aggressively focused on that.
In Nova Scotia, Nov. 24 has been declared Pink Tape Day, the official start to a province-wide awareness campaign that aims to take a stand against bullying. The Bearcats are on board.
Sunday, the Bearcats make their first appearance in Grand Falls to face the Rapids. The community has embraced the Woodstock franchise move to that community. The fans will be there in full force.
Three games on the road over four days can be gruelling. It comes with the territory in junior hockey and no team is exempt.
Truro’s next home game is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 2, 2 p.m. against the Miramichi Timberwolves. That’s Teddy Bear Toss time in Support of the Christmas Index.
It’s a busy time.
