Scotians suffer 6-2 loss at Atlantic championship opener
Face N.L. today, two games on Friday
For a while there, things looked good for the Pictou County Junior Scotians in their opening game at the Don Johnson Memorial Cup.
Then the second period started.
Getting power play goals from Jacob Pentz and Ryan Dunfield, the Scotians led 2-0 after one period against the Cap-Pele Predators (New Brunswick) before the Predators scored six times in the middle period on their way to a 6-2 win.
“We just completely fell apart,” said coach Al Whidden.
“I can’t explain it. Guys were doing things that were totally uncharacteristic – not picking up their man, things like that.”
Asked if there were any positives he could take from the game, he replied, “not a lot, really.”
He did say that he liked the way his team played in the third period.
Pictou County had some power play time early in the third period – including a brief five-on-three – but couldn’t get back into the game despite having several good scoring chances.
“The players were very disappointed with their effort, but we’ve got to put that game behind them and move forward. We think we can play with everybody here.”
The Scotians play Thursday against the Southern Shore Breakers (the Newfoundland and Labrador representative) at noon.
Whidden and his assistant coaches watched the Breakers beat the Western Red Wings (P.E.I.) 8-7 on Wednesday morning.
He said a key for his club will be to contain the top line, led by Liam Hynes, who had five goals and two assists against Western.
“Giving up six goals in the second period was pretty bad,” said forward Riley Cameron.
“We all know we have to be better, and can be better. It was just one loss, no matter how bad it was.”
Notes
● After Thrusday's game, Pic- tou County will play its final two games of the round-robin on Friday: a noon-time start with the Red Wings, followed by a 7 p.m. tilt against the host Fredericton Capitals.
● The top four teams in the five-team event advance to Saturday semifinals. The championship game goes Sunday afternoon.
● Dunfield collected an assist on Pentz’s goal and was named the Scotians’ player of the game.
● The DoJo is being played at Willie at Willie O’Ree Place in Fredericton, which was named in honour of the first black man to play in the NHL (Boston Bruins).
Now 81, O’Ree is from the New Brunswick capital city.