TRURO, N.S. – The Truro Bearcats threw a scare into the Maritime Junior Hockey League-leading Yarmouth Mariners Friday at the RECC, coming within two and a half minutes of handing them their first regulation loss this season.
With the Bearcats leading 3-2 in the third, the Mariners scored with 2:20 on the clock to tie it up, then notched the winner with just 20 seconds remaining.
The Bearcats led 1-0 after the first as Jack McGovern scored on an unassisted effort. This, despite Truro being outshot 8-3 by the Mariners.
In the second, Yarmouth pulled ahead on goals by Matthew Boring and Brett Crossley.
But Gavin Hart put one over the shoulder of Mariners’ netminder Tyler Caseley with Truro short-handed at 13:37. McGovern and Marc Aucoin picked up helpers on the play.
Will Mizuik, with his first of the season, scored just 37 seconds into the third frame to restore Truro’s lead at 3-2. Dylan Burton and Ryan Porter assisted.
The Bearcats appeared to be in control up until Crossley’s second of the night at 17:40 tied it at three. Then Matt Barron came across the blueline and blasted one from the top of the circle that Truro netminder Alex MacDonald got a piece of but rolled across the line for a 4-3 Yarmouth lead.
The Mariners had 32 shots to Truro’s 28.
With the win, Yarmouth’s record went to seven wins against just one shootout loss.
The Bearcats, with three wins and three losses, are back on home ice tonight (Saturday) when they entertain the Pictou County Weeks Crushers. Pictou is in fifth place in the Eastlink South Division, a point back of Truro, with a win, two losses, two overtime losses and one shootout loss. Game time is 7 p.m. at the RECC.
Monday, the Bearcats open at the league’s annual MHL Showcase in New Glasgow facing Miramichi Timberwolves at 3 p.m.
