Scotians extend playoff series with Bulldogs
Game 6 is Friday at Antigonish
The Pictou County Scotians aren’t going away easily.
The Scotians beat the Antigonish Bulldogs 5-3 on Sunday, forcing a Game 6 in the Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League (NSJHL) playoff matchup, after the locals had dropped the first three games in the series.
Just like they did in Game 4, the Scotians had to rally from a twogoal deficit; down 3-1 late in the second period at Trenton rink, goals from Ryan Dunfield and Jacob Pentz tied things up before the second intermission.
A Jeremy McFarlane power play marker three minutes into the final period, and an insurance goal from Dewtie put the game away for Pictou County, who are defending their NSJHL title from a season ago.
“The guys have zero quit in them,” coach Brandon Verge said.
“They continue to push and pressure all the time. We could have packed it in down 3–1 late in second (but) we never gave up and finally got a couple bounces our way.”
Verge said goaltender Matt Murray, who turned aside 44 Antigonish shots, “was outstanding in nets, made a couple huge toe saves,” and added that Lucas Rushton had some “huge shot blocks at the end, and will put his entire body in front of the puck.”
Rushton picked up the other Pictou County goal and Dunfield had two assists.
Devin MacLaughlin scored a pair for Antigonish and Logan DeYoung also scored.
“It was a great all-round group win tonight, which is what it’s gonna take to battle back in this series,” said Dewtie.
“We know will have to continue to push the pressure to them and play a complete 60-minute game Friday, and ride the momentum from (Sunday night).”
The Bulldogs will try to finish off the Scotians on Friday at Antigonish Arena, while a Scotians’ win means a Game 7 would be played next Sunday in Trenton.