All-star calibre
The Truro Bearcats learned this week they will have ve players on the roster of the MHL’S south division team for the all-star challenge in Ontario.
Five members of the Truro Bearcats are among the players chosen for the squad that will represent the Maritime Junior Hockey League’s Eastlink South Division at the upcoming eighth annual Eastern Canada Cup All-star Challenge.
The MHL announced two rosters this week, based on divisional picks, that will be in Quinte West, Ont., Nov. 19-21 at Duncan McDonald Memorial Community Gardens.
“The MHL divisional teams will be looking to improve on their quarterfinal result from last year, and these might be the most talented teams we have ever taken to the event,” says MHL President Brian Whitehead.
Bearcats selected to the south’s team include netminder Alec MacDonald, rearguards Jack Mcgovern and Curtis Heffernan, along with forwards Karter Renouf and team captain Dylan Burton.
Twelve all-star teams will compete in a tournament format that will consist of four teams from the OJHL, and two teams from each of the CCHL, QJHL, MHL and NOJHL.
A total of 21 games will be played to determine the champion. Teams will play modified two-period games in a round-robin with quarter finals, semi-finals, and a championship game scheduled for 6 p.m. AST on Nov. 21. The event serves as a showcase for scouts representing the NHL, NCAA schools, CHL and the staff of Team Canada East, who will be identifying players for their selection camp in December.
Team Eastlink South features five players each from the Yarmouth Mariners and Bearcats, four from the South Shore Lumberjacks, and two each from the Amherst Ramblers, Pictou County Weeks Crushers and Valley Wildcats. Laurie Barron of the Yarmouth Mariners is head coach, joined by South Shore Lumberjacks head coach Kyle Mcallister as assistant. Athletic therapists are Steve Lindsay from the Bearcats and Ashley Merrithew of the Amherst Ramblers.
League action
The Bearcats return to action tonight (Thursday) when they continue their sparring match with the Amherst Ramblers over second place in the MHL’S Eastlink South Division. Game time is 7 p.m.
In recent play, Alec Macdonald stopped 29 shots and drew an assist on the overtime winner as the Bearcats shaded the Pictou County Weeks Crushers 2-1 in Maritime Junior Hockey League action Saturday at the RECC.
Sunday it was a different story, however, as the Bearcats were blanked 4-0 by the Valley Wildcats in Berwick.
Saturday’s matchup was close throughout. Gavin Hart opened the scoring at 14:28 of the opening frame. Hart stripped a defender of the puck at the Pictou blueline and went in untouched, slipping a backhander by goalie Andrew Macleod. The Crushers countered late in the second when Jake Martin scored at 17:43.
After a scoreless third period – one played without a single penalty being called, a rarity when these two teams tangle – the game went to overtime and Shaun Biley settled the matter at 1:20, assisted by Damian Hartt and Macdonald.
The Bearcats had 20 shots on Macleod. Macdonald was full marks for the win as the Crushers outshot Truro 12-4 and 10-4 in the second and third periods.
Despite firing 32 shots at the Valley Wildcats’ net Sunday in Berwick, Truro snipers were unable to solve netminder Liam Macdonald. The Wildcats scored once in each of the first and second periods, and twice in the third.
The Bearcats next see action at home Friday, Nov. 16 when they host the Yarmouth Mariners at 7 p.m.