The Truro Bearcats had a great week.
You know you do when the following occurs: the team picks up five of six points up for grabs; goaltending is strong in all three games; and, goals-against drops significantly.
Last Thursday in Summerside, the Bearcats played the way needed to get better and be a factor later in the season. It set the table for a good run.
The five-on-five was solid and the penalty-kill against the MHL’s best was impressive. They left the Island feeling they can compete with any in the league, even with that OT loss.
Friday, the Grand Falls Rapids displayed a compete level unexpected from a last-place team. They put the Bearcats on their heels, for awhile.
Goaltending gave Truro the chance to get on track. Fans were treated to a hard-hitting game from both sides.
When OT doesn’t decide the outcome, the SO will. This one went deep before the Bearcats tipped the scales.
Saturday’s matchup with South Shore was a huge game. It was one of those games where a loss had a great ramification on standings.
Keys to the Bearcats win was team discipline. They refused to get involved in scrums and other distractions.
It was also good to see players standing up for teammates. It’s a necessary element of a team game.
The Bearcats scored first in all three games. Clearly a good start can change how the opposition reacts.
Tonight, the Bearcats travel to New Glasgow to face the Crushers, the hottest team in the MHL with a 9-0-0-1 record over their last ten games.
The Crushers, currently in fourth spot and winners of their last three against Truro, have their sights set higher. This is a challenging game.
Saturday, the Bearcats host the Campbellton Tigers at the RECC (7 p.m.). The Tigers and Bearcats are dead-even in stats.
Looking ahead, the Bearcats have a Wednesday (Jan. 30) game at the RECC against the Amherst Ramblers. The possibility of a Bearcat-Rambler Round 1 meeting looms large.
The focus on getting better remains the Bearcat objective.
TAGLINE: Gerry Hale is president and media relations coordinator for the Truro Bearcat junior A hockey club.
