Crushers ready to smash competition

NEW?GLASGOW - A long Christmas break will leave the Crushers rested up and ready to hit the ice with a bang this weekend, says head coach Troy Dumville.
"We're coming off a long break, there are no excuses," Dumville said. "The execution level might be lacking, but everybody is healthy and we have a bigger roster, so we'll be ready to go this weekend."
The Crushers will hit the ice twice this weekend, heading to Dieppe Commandos on Saturday evening and playing against the Amherst Ramblers at home Sunday afternoon.
Entering the second half of the season, the Crushers are in second place, seven points behind frontrunners, the Truro Bearcats, and three points up on the Bridgewater Lumberjacks.
This weekend's play is a great chance to expand their lead, Dumville said.
"Both teams we're playing this weekend are on the lower end of the standings - we need to make sure we come prepared and bring our A game to beat these guys," he explained. "It's important to stay ahead in the standings and put some distance between us and Bridgewater."
The Crushers have a better schedule in the second half of the year, said Dumville, and are hoping to see "big things" happening within the next month.
"If we play well, we can maintain second place, or even give Truro a run for first," he said. "We control our own destiny."
Right now, if the standings remain as they are, it would see the Crushers play Bridgewater in the first round of the playoffs.
The Crushers will be back on the ice this week in preparation for this weekend's play, which Dumville says will be filled with good hockey in games that are key wins for the team.
"We'll be playing strong defensively and taking advantage of our opportunities when they come," he said. "These tight-checking, low-scoring games, like our last two, are games we have to win."
Hockey fans will be able to see a double header at the John Brother Memorial Stadium on Sunday, with the Weeks Major Midgets playing the Cape Breton Tradesman at 11 a.m., followed by the Crushers against the Amherst Ramblers at 2:30 p.m.