It’s show time

Sometimes the hardest thing to do in hockey is complete regular season play – especially when the outcome has no bearing on playoff positioning.

Saturday’s loss to Amherst wasn’t entirely going through the motions, but it wasn’t the kind of game either team wants to play at the doormat of post-season play.

The Bearcats have to find their playoff strut, real soon. They are playing a team they haven’t beaten all season and they will need a real shot of confidence to change that around.

The Yarmouth Mariners finished first in Eastlink South play for legitimate reasons. They deserved it. The Mariners are skilled and experienced. Throw confidence into that mix. They have shown they are never out of a game. With the lead, or without, they play with focus, discipline and patience.

That’s enough about the Mariners.

The Bearcats know how to play them, but the Bearcats have to choose to play that way. It’s all about execution.

Mental inconsistency is a burden heavy to carry. It can be lifted when all are playing and pulling the same way.

It’s been 22 years since the Bearcats returned to junior hockey. In each of those years they’ve experienced playoff hockey.

All runs are not the same, but as has been the case over the years, the goal has been to make the playoffs, then see what happens.

Well, it all starts tonight in Yarmouth. The teams return to the RECC Saturday, March 16 for Game 2.

Truro, obviously familiar with everything Yarmouth possess, must focus on fulfilling the game plan.

A tenacious forecheck deep on the opponents’ end has been part of that. So, too, is being difficult to play against in all zones.

All the impressive stats and records accumulated over a 50-game schedule are of little consequence now.

The “real” season is about to begin.

Go Cats Go!