The Bearcat goal is to ice a competitive team.
By all accounts coming out of the first weekend of regular season
play, it has been accomplished.
A pair of wins against Divisional rivals can only be described as a
great way to kick things off.
In Bridgewater, Thursday, Truro jumped out to an early lead, and
never relinquished it. The Lumberjacks made a late push but the Bearcats
snuffed that out.
At home, Friday, the Bearcats once again utilized a quick start, this
time en route to a convincing win over the Pictou County Crushers. The
attack was relentless.
A twelve-goal output over two games is high by Bearcat standards.
Whether they came 5-on-five, powerplay, short-handed or empty-net, they
all count.
For sure the initial weekend was a successful one, even with roster concluded hours before play was to begin.
The Bearcats traded third year goalie, Frederic Plourde and forward,
Ben Diamond to the Grand Falls Rapids for forward, Carter McCluskey (19),
and goalies, Isaac Sparrow (18) and Joey Hawco (17).
Trades are made for a reason. Coming out of a transaction, the
desire is to ice an even more competitive team.
McCluskey, a New Brunswick native, split last year between the Saint
John Sea Dogs and the Cape Breton Eagles. He joins a number
of experienced acquisitions on the current Bearcat roster.
This week the Bearcats prepare for a Saturday meeting at the RECC
with the Yarmouth Mariners, then travel to Berwick to face the Valley
Wildcats on Sunday (3:00 pm).
The Mariners, now in their twentieth season, are always an Eastlink
South Contender. The Bearcat – Mariner rivalry is well established.
The Bearcats broke the hearts of the Wildcat faithful last year,
winning Game 7 of the Divisional Finals. Returning Wildcats have not
forgotten.
Bearcat-of-the- Week honours this week went to second year
forward, James Beaton. The 2020 Bearcat pick from the Cape Breton West
Islanders assisted on three goals for the weekend, including two empty-net
goals in the win over the Lumberjacks. This is how reliable players respond.