Die is cast, let the playoffs begin

There seems little doubt the Bearcats were on a self-imposed mission.

Not only were they looking to finish as high as possible, they were forcing any above them to win games as well.

After a very convincing win over Yarmouth last Wednesday, the Bearcats hit the road to New Brunswick – the great northern trek.

They played some emotional games of late, but the one in Campbellton wasn’t one of them. The Bearcats did enough to win in a game they needed to bank.

They were solid in net, got some secondary scoring and found a way to win against a Tigers team that started and finished hard.

Saturday, in Miramichi, the Bearcats executed its best win of the season, at least to this point. It was huge, against a very strong team.

There’s no question the Timberwolves totally dominated the Bearcats through much of the first half of the game.

Truro got enough saves to stay in it and, while bent, didn’t break. They also committed to play 60 minutes.

The Bearcats took the game over in the third period. They took away Timberwolf time and space, forechecked them to death, scored three to tie it, then won it in overtime.

Perhaps at no time this season has the team been quite that excited at game’s end. It was a character win if ever there was one.

Weekend results secured second spot in the Eastlink South Division. The Bearcats earned it playing each game down the stretch one at a time.

The Bearcats wrap up the regular season tonight in New Glasgow against the Crushers who will finish first overall in MHL standings.

The game has no bearing on positions. It will give the Bearcats the opportunity to rest some and play others who have been idle. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

It’s not clear yet whom the Bearcats will play in Round 1, which will likely begin next Thursday.

It’s clear, though, that this regular season was another good one when a young team accomplished a lot.