Crushers losing streak up to 10 games
Andrew MacLeod could start in net for Crushers this week
It doesn’t get any easier for the Junior A Crushers.
In the midst of a 10-game winless streak, the Crushers will attempt to hit the win column on Thursday at the Pictou County Wellness Centre. Problem with that is, they have to beat the Yarmouth Mariners, who sit atop the MHL’s South Division with a 9-2 record.
“We play great for long stretches,” said Crushers coach Doug Doull, in assessing his team’s play over the past month,
a stretch that seen them lose six games by a single goal, four of them in overtime or in a shootout.
“But timely saves would be awesome, and clutch goals from one of our veterans would be nice. Somebody’s got to step up
and put us over the top.
“We’re going back to work and looking for answers.”
Pictou County’s crease got more crowded this past week, after Andrew MacLeod was sent back to Junior A from the AcadieBathurst Titan. He’s a big banged up, said Doull, but “if he can play, we’d love to have him in the net. We can’t be sub-.890 in save percentage, that’s something we just can’t have.”
The Crushers also traded forward Tyler Hutchinson to the Timmins Rock last week and in return, received 20-year-old defenceman Alexis Quane-Arsenault.
Forward Jake Martin played on the weekend after missing the first nine games of the season.
“It’ll take some time for him (to get to game speed), but he’ll be an asset for us,” said Doull.
The Crushers, who haven’t won a game since their home opener on Sept. 13, lost two games in New Brunswick on the weekend. Saturday in Campbellton, the Tigers built a threegoal lead and held on for a 4-3 final.
Isaac Chapman scored twice for Pictou County, Cam Scott had the other goal and Evan Gallant had a pair of assists. Zach Spencer potted two goals for the Tigers.
On Friday in Miramichi, the Crushers lost to the Timberwolves 3-2 in a shootout. Jacob Hickey and Evan MacLennan scored for the Crushers, who held a 2-0 lead going into the third period.