Back in black
Noah Archibald has weathered some ups and downs in his hockey career but he’s glad to be back in the thick of things with the Truro Bearcats.
Let’s go back to Maritime Junior Hockey League action at the Rath-eastlink Community Centre on Nov. 10.
e Truro Bearcats were leading Amherst Ramblers 2-0 early in the second period. It was a close battle and the next goal could be a big one.
At the 11:12 mark, the Bearcats’ Noah Archibald scored a beauty, making it 3-0.
And Archibald wasn’t done – he red another one home at 17:29. With Archibald’s back-to-back goals likely being the turning point in the game, the Bearcats went on to a 5-1 win.
“It was nice,” Archibald, 19, of Harmony, commented. “I hadn’t been scoring much this season. It was nice to nally get rewarded, it was nice to do it in a big win for our hockey team.”
As a hockey player Archibald is a good-sized right winger; he’s a solid two-way player who doesn’t mind the rough going in tight quarters.
A strong skater and a real asset to the Bearcats, Archibald has been playing possibly the best hockey of his career on a line with Elliot Mcguire at centre and Luke Macmillian at left wing.
And, talking with Archibald one-on-one, here’s a young athlete as humble and as gentlemanly as you’d care to meet. Earlier this week we reflected on a di cult time in his hockey career.
“I su ered a broken shoulder in a car accident during July of 2016,” Archibald said.
“I was coming along pretty good but in mid-september I became sick. I found out that I had mono. Later, I was diagnosed with meningitis; it was really serious. I was really sick, I went through a serious health issue. Overall, I spent two weeks in the QEII and a week in the Truro hospital.”
e rangy forward would not return to the ice to skate until late November.
“ e other players were in midseason form; it was de nitely a big challenge to try and catch up. Around Jan. 10, I played my rst game. For the rest of the season I had to work really hard. I put in a lot of extra practice time and
eventually I got back to playing my game.”
Archibald explained that the Bearcats went on a real mission during the latter part of the 201617 season.
“Winning the Maritime cham-
pionship was really something, it was kind of a great ending to what had been a di cult year personally. I was so happy to be part of it; winning a championship with the Bearcats was something I always wanted.”
Archibald broke in with the Bearcats in 2014-15.
“ is is actually my fourth season. I have a chance to play ve years for Truro. It’s really exciting, it would be special to play ve seasons with the Bearcats. I don’t take it for granted, it’s really a huge honour. Some players only get to play a couple of seasons of junior A hockey.”
Getting into hockey came early for Archibald.
“I played my rst hockey on my pond in Harmony when I was ve. at stands out as one of my earliest memories of having an interest in hockey. After that I played in the Truro & Area Minor Hockey Association; I was always happiest when I was at the rink.
Hockey always brought a smile to my face.”
A graduate of CEC, for a career, Archibald plans to pursue law enforcement or being a re ghter.
Tonight at 7 p.m. at the RECC, Archibald and the Bearcats play host to the Woodstock Slammers.
The 2017 Colchester County Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony was well attended at the Marigold Cultural Centre on Nov. 10.
Inductees included motorcycle racer Gary Mackinnon, recreation’s Doug Mackenzie, body builder Herb Peppard, world champion curlers Team Pinkney, gifted athlete Jennifer ( Lloyd) Mckenzie and the Truro District Hockey League.
“It was a great event, there was lots to reminisce about,” said Ashley Simms, chair of the Truro Sport Heritage Society.
“This year’s inductees came from di erent backgrounds but shared a common love for sport and recreation. e evening was full of stories, laughs and networking; it was an honour to be involved.”
Food was served and just a story or two were told following inductions; a great night for sports.
Give high marks to master of ceremonies Danny Joseph and the TSHS.