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Pirates Host Miners In Battle For First Place
2012-11-15
SYDNEY — There’s bragging rights and pride on the line when the Strait Pirates host the Glace Bay Junior Miners in Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League action tonight at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre.
Tonight’s game will be the first regular season meeting between the two rivals. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.
“It’s our first look at Glace Bay and we know they’re a very strong team,” said Pirates head coach Tim MacMillan. “We know it’s going to be a really good game, although there will probably be a little bit of feeling out as we haven’t played each other.”
The Pirates (9-4-1-0) enter tonight’s matchup looking to get back on track in the win column. They’ve dropped four of their last five games, and are coming off a 4-1 loss to the Pictou County Scotians on Sunday in Trenton.
MacMillan says his team needs to finish their chances if they hope to be successful. Jarrett Martell has been the top scorer for the Pirates with 10 goals and 11 helpers in 14 games. Marc Bourgeois and Americo Pino have also contributed to the scoring with 17 points apiece.
“We’ve played probably better hockey than when we were winning,” said MacMillan. “The overall game we’ve played, we’ve lowered our shots against, lowered our goals against, so we’ve been better from the net out.
“The big part of our game that’s missing right now is we’re not finishing chances. We’re getting quality scoring chances and they’re just not going for us.”
The Junior Miners (9-3-1-0) have won three of their last five games, but are looking to rebound as well. They’re coming off a 7-5 setback to the East Hants Penguins last Saturday at the Bayplex.
Jordan Langlois has paced Glace Bay scoring with 12 goals and nine assists for 21 points, while Chris Ross isn’t far behind with eight goals and 12 helpers.
Glace Bay head coach Kent Verbeski said tonight’s game will be a big test for his team.
“We have to utilize our speed up front, move the puck north and south, play physical, but play disciplined also,” he said. “We’ve been up there in penalty minutes the past few games and it’s hurting us. We have to stay disciplined against those guys because they have some guys who can hurt you on the scoresheet.”
Following tonight’s contest, the Miners continue play at home when they host the Pictou County Scotians at the Bayplex on Saturday beginning at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, the Pirates travel to Antigonish to face the Antigonish Farmers’ Mutual Junior Bulldogs, another 7:30 p.m. start.