Game over: Wildcats swept by Truro to end season
For the second year in a row, the Valley Wildcats were swept in its series against the Truro Bearcats.
This time, however, the Wildcats made it a step further in the playoff series, to the Nova Scotia final, before going out in four games. That’s something to be proud of, says head coach Nick Greenough.
“It would’ve been nice to win (April 2) and prolong the series and play again at home, it’s never great losing, and it’s hard for the retiring guys, but we had a very successful season,” he said.
This was only the second year for junior A hockey in the Valley – the Wildcats moved to Kentville for the 2013-2014 season, then relocated to Berwick for 2014-2015. Previously, the team was located in Halifax.
“We’re happy as an organization – we inherited a club that had four wins, and this year, we got to the conference final,” he said.
The team, Greenough added, learned from the losses in the final.
“They say you have to lose to win,” he said, pointing out that several Truro players had experience playing for the RBC Cup last year.
“We’ll take something from this series – we saw what it takes to be a championship team.”
He had high praise for the fans, particularly during playoffs.
“The fan support was just great. I think the Valley is starting to get the junior A buzz, it was great to see the fan support out for our playoffs,” he said, adding that the support from the people behind the scenes who helped with the Wildcats was also key this year. “We’ve got to say a big thank-you to everyone.”
Looking ahead
Prospects are bright for next season, he added. The Wildcats will lose just six players to age – 20-year-olds Kaden Ruest, Anthony Cardinal, Mike Molloy, Mitchell Jones, Matt Wright and Myles McGurty.
“It’s a tough time for them, their junior career is finished, but it’s been great seeing them develop as players,” he said.
With the remainder to the team eligible to return next season, “We’re looking in real good shape for next year,” said Greenough.
He’s already eyeing new talent for the MHL draft in June.
“We want to take the best available players. I’m hoping to add some size – we’ve got a lot of skilled players and we’re pretty fast, and we’ve got a lot of depth. We’re going to look for more size and depth,” he said, adding that the Wildcats organization will also be looking towards developing the team in the future.
“We may look at some young kids that aren’t ready to play yet.”
The work of building next year’s team begins now. Coaching staff will meet with current players early in the week.
“We’ll have exit meetings with the players and we’ll get together as a staff, evaluate the season and see where we need to be,” he said.
Game 3 summary
The Bearcats jumped to a 3-0 lead after two periods, but the Wildcats began to claw their way back into the game during the third period.
Jeremy Butterworth made his shots count for the Wildcats, scoring two goals on two shots for the Wildcats, while Matt Wright scored on a penalty shot late in the third period. John Deacon and Grant Janes tallied two assists for the Wildcats.
Two minutes into the third period, Butterworth scored his first goal, but the Bearcats quickly responded with a goal of their own making the game 4-1.
Deacon connected with Butterworth again halfway through the period. With five minutes remaining in the third period Wright scored for the Wildcats on a penalty shot making it a one-goal game.
The Wildcats’ improved performance in the third period was too little too late. Valley outshot Truro 33-21, but ran into a hot goaltender, Jacob Fancy.
Game 4 summary
The Bearcats won the Eastlink division trophy 4-2 at home in Game 4 against the Wildcats.
A slashing penalty against Valley’s Nick Gibson allowed Truro to get on the board late in the first. Alex Soumakis’ power play goal, off the stick of Jordan McNaughton and Brandon Pye, made it 1-0, the only goal scored in the first.
Josh Worthen tied things up for Valley midway through the second, with Mike Molloy getting the assist, but Truro responded five minutes later with a power play goal from Pye (McNaughton, Daniel Perigo) to make it 2-1.
Valley rallied back to tie things up 2-2 in the third - it took just 10 seconds for Molloy to score a short-handed goal off a pass from Anthony Cardinal - but Truro’s Jesse MacInnis and Denver Lynds each scored a goals to give the Bearcats a 4-2 lead that Valley couldn’t surpass.
Truro will now move on to play the winner of the Meek division.