Crushers’ Bonaparte: ‘Now it’s personal’
Pictou County to face T-Wolves for second time in six days
The Junior A Crushers probably don’t need extra motivation when the Miramichi Timberwolves return to the Pictou County Wellness Centre on Thursday.
The Timberwolves gave them all they need last Friday in a 9-5 win at the Wellness Centre, when they freewheeled around the Crushers’ house like they owned the place, scoring goals seemingly at will.
They also put Crushers defenceman Aiden Hickey out for a few weeks with a broken collarbone after a hit from Miramichi’s Riley Scott that “checked all the boxes” in terms of being a cheap shot, according to Pictou County coach Doug Doull.
“A head hit, checking from behind, a charge, he left his feet, whatever you want to call there. That’s what it shows on the tape. And the ref was three feet away.”
The coach did add that the team has moved on from the incident.
However, “we’ll definitely be going into the game with a chip on our shoulder,” said veteran forward and assistant captain Alex Bonaparte.
“Now it’s personal, when someone
comes into your rink and steals a game like that in front of your home crowd.”
The Crushers are seven points back of a playoff spot and need to put some wins together over the next few weeks before their postseason hopes start slipping away.
Bonaparte said the Crushers 4-3 win last Saturday against the Summerside Western Capitals provided the team with “a sense of relief,” after the Crushers had lost four straight. The rough spots, he added, “are when you grow as a hockey player – and as a team. I think the second half (of the season) will be a lot better for us.”
Bonaparte didn’t shy away when asked if he was disappointed with his offensive production thus far; in 20 games, the 20-year-old has two goals and five assists for a team that has struggled with getting more offensive consistency.
“It’s something I want to improve,” he said of his offensive numbers. “For me to say I’m happy with that, it would be a lie. I wouldn’t say I think about it when I’m playing, but I would definitely like to contribute more offensively.”
Luke Melanson will get the start in goal for Pictou County after earning first-star honours last Saturday in Summerside.