Scotians back to work this weekend
Defenceman Ryan Dunfield expected to play
It’s back to work for the Pictou County Junior Scotians.
The Scotians, who haven’t played since Dec. 15, will open the 2018 portion of their Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League season with two weekend games: the Strait Pirates on Friday in Port Hawkesbury — weather depending — and the Brookfield Elks on Sunday at Trenton rink (7 p.m. start time).
“These games are huge for us,” said coach Brandon Verge.
“It would put us in a comfortable position ahead of the (Antigonish Bulldogs) and Strait, but ultimately help us stay within reach of our goal. And that is, to take over first place.”
Pictou County (15-5-4) has 11 games left in the regular season and is getting closer to seizing firm control of second-place in the division, with an eight-point lead on third-place Antigonish.
“The second half for us, is to stay consistent and work on small things moving (toward) the playoffs,” Verge said.
Sunday’s night game sees them welcome the struggling Elks, Pictou County’s first look at Brookfield this season. The Elks have just two wins and have been outscored 124-52.
“We can’t take them lightly because we have a tendency to play to our opponent’s level.”
The injury front
Ryan Dunfield, perhaps Pictou County’s No. 1 defenceman, is back from an upper body injury and practised on Wednesday. He’s expected to be in the lineup this weekend.
Veteran forward Blair Dewtie said Dunfield’s return is a big addition in terms of depth, and also will boost the offence with his puck-handling.
“He’s arguably one of the top D in the league,” Dewtie said.
“With him back it adds that additional offence we need and stability on the back end. I think everyone’s pretty excited to have him back.”
The Scotians play twice this month (Jan. 13 and 20) on the road against the Glace Bay Miners, and results from those games could go a long way in determining first place in the division — Glace Bay is just four points ahead of Pictou County.
“You never like to look ahead, but the two big games for myself and the coaching staff are against Glace Bay,” Verge said.
“(We are) only four points behind them, where usually at the Christmas break they have always had the division banner won.”