High standards in the crease net offence opportunities

The puck stops here.

For the last few weeks, the Banter reflected on the four championships won over the first 23 years since re-entering the junior ranks.

You don’t reach such milestones, or the seven divisional titles, without a plan that starts in the crease, then extends outward from there.

Back in 1997, the Bearcats opened the inaugural season with a QMJHL veteran goalie from Ontario, who arrived via the Moncton franchise.

Chris Wilcox, a 20-yearold, led the team to a secondplace finish and a spot in Divisional Finals against the Dartmouth Oland Exports.

The Bearcats took that series to Game 7, only to lose early in the third overtime period. For his efforts, and his supporting teammates, Wilcox was named League MVP and Playoff MVP.

For sure, he set the table, and since, the Bearcats have always been strong and competitive from the crease out.

The Young-knickle Award was a League award (trophy) which recognized the Top Goaltending Duo over the course of regular-season play.

The Truro Bearcats got their name on it at the conclusion of the 2003-2004 season when the nets were manned by Matt Climie and Daniel Turner.

Since then, the team won the award on nine other occasions:

2005-2006 - Victor Saari, Corey Chipman

2006-2007 – Darcy Stewart, Kirk Rafuse

2007-2008 – Pierre-alexandre Marion, Luke Gallant

2008-2009 – Richard Gagnon, Kirk Rafuse

2009-2010 – Kirk Rafuse, Alex Scola, Richard Gagnon

2010-2011 - Spencer Scott, Kirk Rafuse

2013-2014 – Jacob Fancy, Chris Festarini, Jordan Kennedy

2015-2016 – Jacob Fancy, Luke Melanson

2017-2018 - Kevin Resop, Alec Macdonald

Championships don’t come easily, but good goaltending gives your team a shot.