TRENTON
The Pictou County Scotians feel like they have to atone for some recent sins.
Pictou County’s lone Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League game this weekend is Sunday night at home, against the Strait Pirates.
The Scotians have had better weekends than their most recent one: a 3-2 overtime loss to the Glace Bay Miners on Sunday – Pictou County had led 2-0 at one point in the third period. The game was preceded by a trip to Port Hawkesbury last Friday, where they were blown out 8-3 by the Pirates.
“We were all a little embarrassed about that,” captain Ryan Dunfield said at practice on Wednesday, admitting that the Scotians may have underestimated the Pirates, who are behind Pictou County in the Sid Rowe Division standings.
“We were focused on mid-terms all week, so it was hard to get our minds back to hockey. I think everybody wants to come back and give them a beating, like they did to us.”
The Scotians (5-2-2) are in second place in the division, trailing the Miners by three points heading into the weekend.
Even though it’s October, coach Brandon Verge told his players Sunday’s game is a big one, and a win in regulation would put a little more distance between themselves and the Pirates.
“There were a lot of upset people, that we lost 8-3,” he said.
“I think the boys were a little embarrassed and we’ll be ready to go on Sunday.”
Notes: The top three scorers for the Scotians are Jacob Pentz (5G, 6A), Jeremy McFarlane (5G, 3A) and Will Kelly (2G, 6A)…. Jagger Statton is skating with the club but might not be ready for another couple of weeks. Forward Ryan MacDonald is still out for awhile; MacDonald broke his foot prior to the star of the regular season, but managed to play in the season-opener, the night the club honoured deceased players Kale Mason and Noah Russell, as well as Scotians board member Bill Roddick…. The Scotians are wearing #88 on the back of their helmets this season in tribute to Mason, who wore that number in high school.