Colts net three points on opening weekend

Cumberland Colchester overcomes 5-0 deficit to earn first victory of the season

The Cumberland Colchester Colts gave a good account of themselves in their opening weekend in the Nova Scotia Regional Junior Hockey League.

The Colts earned three of a possible four points in their first two games.

They lost 4-3 in a shootout to the Avon River Rats in their home opener on Saturday, but bounced back to defeat the Metro Jaguars 9-6 in a wild affair on Sunday in Halifax.

River Rats 4, Colts 3

After a scoreless opening frame, the Colts took advantage of a power-play opportunity as Kevin MacDonald tallied from Austin Wheeler and Hayden Boutilier at 11:45 of the second period.

The River Rats responded just 23 second later as Stuart Whidden scored to make it 1-1 after 40 minutes.

Two quick goals midway through the third put the River Rats up 3-1, but a marker by the Colts’ Wheeler from Oliver Perron and Brandon Fitzpatrick, and an unassisted effort by Boutilier in the late going tied it again, and sent the teams to overtime.

Tyler Howe turned aside 27 shots in net for the Colts while at the other end, Josh MacLeod made 30 saves for the River Rats.

Colts 9, Jaguars 6

The Colts trailed 5-0 just 13 minutes in the contest, but chipped away and came away with a well-earned victory.

MacDonald, Alex Hache and Perron scored for the Colts late in the first period to make it a 5-3 game. The teams exchanged goals in the second for a 6-4 Jaguars advantage after 40 minutes. Cue the comeback. Hache scored at 4:35 of the third and Fitzpatrick tied less than two minutes later. Boutilier, with his second of the game, netted the winner with 4:05 remaining and Alex Griffiths and Cam Allaby scored 15 seconds apart in the late stages as the Colts came away with their first win of the season.

Howe, in relief of Jackson Maloney, picked up the win in nets.

This week, the Colts travel to Bedford to take on the Wolverines, Friday at 10 p.m. Saturday they entertain the Jaguars for a 7:30 p.m. start at Colchester Legion Stadium.

TC MEDIA PHOTO Netminder Tyler Howe makes a stop with Jordan Spence of the Avon River Rats on his doorstep during the Colts’ home opener on Saturday. The River Rats prevailed 4-3 in a shootout. However, the Colts bounced back for a 9-6 win over the Metro Jaguars on...