Scotians move up the standings after productive weekend
The Pictou County Scotians eased their way up the Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League standings on the weekend.
The local club picked up three of a possible four points in a home-and-home series against the Antigonish Bulldogs, dropping a 5-4 overtime game on Friday before a 5-1 victory on Sunday at the Trenton rink.
In their Sunday win, Jacob Pentz notched a natural hat trick when he scored the first three goals of the game. He also set up another goal, James Murphy had a goal and three assists and Blair Dewtie also tallied.
“We controlled their top players and kept them off the scoresheet, pretty much,” said Pentz.
“We still didn’t have our full lineup – some went home for Thanksgiving – but I thought we played really well.”
Jared Livingstone had three helpers for Pictou County (3-11), who received a 40-save effort from goaltender Blake Meech.
Joshua Avery scored for Antigonish.
Pentz had 11 goals and 15 assists in 19 playoff games last spring, which followed his 19 goals and 17 assists in the regular season, his rookie year in junior hockey.
“I want to be better than I was last year, I feel like I should do more in the league this year,” said the native of Trenton.
Pentz said his goals for this season are more team-oriented, rather than any individual milestones he might want to reach, as the Scotians look to defend their NSJHL title.
“I’d say we have as good a team, or better, than the one we had last year.”
On Friday at Antigonish Arena, the Scotians scored twice in the final 12 minutes to tie the Bulldogs 4-4 and force overtime, which led to the shootout and ultimately, a Bulldog win.
Kirklin Murray and Dewtie each had a goal and two assists, Pentz and Livingstone also scored for Pictou County.
Giordano Saputa, Giovanni Akeson, Devin MacLaughlin and Kurt MacLaughlin had regulation goals for the Bulldogs.
Notes
● The Scotians are in second place in the Sid Rowe division, two points in front of the Bulldogs and two behind the Glace Bay Miners.
● Jacob Pentz leads the Scotians with eight points (5G, 3A) and Blair Dewtie has five (3G, 2A). Kirklin Murray, Jared Livingstone and James Murphy all have a goal and four assists and William Kelly leads the team in assists with five.
● Goaltender Blake Meech has a goals against average of 2.94 and also collected an assist against the Bulldogs on Sunday.
● The Scotians play in Lantz on Friday night against the East Hants Penguins, then host the Cumberland County Blues on Sunday in Trenton, a 7 p.m. start.