It’s ‘Go’ time
Recognition, championship celebration taking place before Bearcats home opener tonight
The Truro Bearcats hit the ice tonight for their home opener and are out to defend their MHL championship crown.
trUro
Special pre-game ceremonies will be part of the Truro Bearcats Maritime Junior Hockey League home opener tonight.
Prior to Truro’s game against the St. Stephen Aces, the Bearcats will honour two men who have retired from their positions with the organization after 20 years of service.
President Keith MacKenzie and statistician Harold Barkhouse will be recognized by the team before puck drop, which is slated for 7 p.m. at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre.
“Keith and Harold have been with us a long time and are wellknown men throughout the sporting community here in our town,” said Bearcats coach and general manager Shawn Evans. “And I know they’ve done a lot for the Bearcats, and personally, they’ve done a lot for me over the years. I know they wont be far away but their contributions from my end, they’lll be missed.”
The Bearcats will also celebrate last year’s Maritime Junior Hockey League championship season during a pre-game ceremony. Last April, the Bearcats defeated the Miramichi Timberwolves in a thrilling seven-game final to win their fourth league title.
Nate Leger, a forward for the Bearcats in 2016-17, will represent the team and carry the MHL championship trophy in to the Community Credit Union Arena.
“There will be a moment there that’s very nice but it will only be a moment, then it’s time to move on,” said Evans.
“Sometimes the home openers can be tricky…amongst all the excitement, we’ve got to be able to find a way to concentrate on the game.”
The Bearcats opened their 21st season in the MHL with a road game last night against the Yarmouth Mariners.
Prior to the contest, Evans named alternate captains. Fulltime alternates are defencemen Mark O’Shaughnessy and forward Dylan Burton, while defencemen Tyler Pyke and Riley Baggs will split the role at home and on the road.
Forward Campbell Pickard was named captain of the team last week.