Proud effort

The Truro Bearcat hockey season came to an end May 2.

It wasn’t a screeching conclusion to season play but it was a four games-to-one loss to the Summerside Capitals.

The Capitals were the favourites since the season opened. They’ve been building to represent the MHL in national play for at least the last two years. They will bring a true East Coast team to Estevan with 19 Maritimers on the roster. The preliminary round of the 10team event has the Capitals playing the representatives of NOJHL, MJHL, SJHL, and CCHL.

The Bearcats and the entire MHL family wish them the very best. The Centennial Cup runs May 19–29.

The Bearcats knew they were in tough in the Canadian Tire Cup Final. While they gave their best effort, displayed resilience, and fought to the end, they were not a match for the victors.

Truro opened the season with seven rookies and a young defensive corps without a 20-year-old anchor. This team grew their game as individuals and as a team. It was a low-maintenance group of players who won as a group and lost as a group.

The five Bearcats who’ve aged out made that clear in their comments at the team's closing banquet in the presence of management, family, billets, and volunteers May 4. They appreciated the opportunity to play in Truro with this organization. Ending is not easy, but they leave with valuable hockey and life skills, and life-long friendships.

They leave 16 players eligible to return next season. This would be a deep nucleus upon which to build, deep in all three zones.

Attention now is directed to the annual U-18 draft scheduled for June, and opportunity to select two Territorials if desired.

The return of playoff hockey has to be recognized. The MHL has done well to keep play going the last two years. Playoff attendance in the eight communities having playoff contenders was impressive. It was a new beginning ... well deserved.