Elks still eyeing playoff berth
The Brookfield Elks split an important home-and-home with the Cumberland County Blues last week.
In the first game, the Elks beat the Blues 5-2 at the sportsplex. Brookfield held a 3-0 lead after one period and was up 5-0 after two periods. Aaron Mantle stopped 36 of 38 shots to take the win.
“We’re a confident group right now,” head coach Kevin Aucoin said after the game. “The boys are playing with a controlled sense of urgency.”
The win inched the squad closer to the last playoff spot in the Fred Fox Division.
The teams met again the next night, with the Elks looking to leap over the East Hants Penguins into a playoff spot. Unfortunately, the Elks lost a close 3-0 match in Springhill. The Blues made it 1-0 five minutes into the game and that score held until there was five minutes left in the game.
Mantle stopped 31 of 34 shots he faced, while the Elks fired 37 shots at Cumberland.
The Elks need a strong push to end the season, with the playoffs still firmly in their sites.
Elks of the Week Chad Tucker, Joseph Rector, Jordan Sollows
The Elks became a stronger hockey team last week when general manager Steve Crowell added three excellent players.
Chad Tucker and Joe Rector played with the CEC Cougars this year before the season was postponed through a labour dispute.
Tucker, a five-foot-11, 190pound forward comes with major midget experience and is known as a hard-nosed player with a knack for finding the back of the net. Unfortunately, he will have to serve out his final four games of a suspension he received while playing for the Cougars before suiting up with the Elks.
Rector, a six-foot-two, 230pound defenceman, is a big presence who can skate, makes a good first pass and has a hard shot.
Crowell then traded Lucas Rushton to Pictou for a draft pick, and in turn, traded that pick to Cole Harbour for veteran forward/defensemen Jordan Sollows. Sollows is a big offensive-minded player who will affiliate with the Elks for the remainder of the season and will play full-time next year.
WELKcome!
Chase the Ace
Every Thursday at 830 p.m., the Don Henderson Memorial Sportsplex is holding a Chase the Ace draw. This year, the Elks will be selling tickets for the popular contest during their home games.
Come on out and watch some great hockey and have a chance to win big! Congratulations to Brian Clarke who won $317 last Thursday night.
The pot is now at $3,800!
Annual pancake breakfast
The Elks are excited to meet their fans at their annual pancake breakfast on Jan. 29, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Brookfield Curling Club.
Pancakes, sausages, eggs, tea/coffee for only $8 for adults, $4 for kids.
On tap
Brookfield has a home-andhome series with the Valley Maple Leafs this week. It starts Thursday at 730 p.m. at the sportsplex.
The Elks are pleased to welcome, for free, any minor hockey players wearing their minor hockey team jerseys. Come one out and support your Elks.