WESTVILLE ROAD –
The margin for error is so close at a provincial hockey championship.
The Pictou County Well Wear Bombers found that out at Major Bantam provincials, held at the Pictou County Wellness Centre March 14-17.
In a March 14 matchup against the South Shore Lumberjacks – a contest that Pictou County desperately needed to win to remain in the championship hunt – the Bombers were protecting a 4-3 lead when they were assessed two marginal penalties late in the game – one a delay-of-game penalty questionable interference call, the other a questionable interference call.
The penalties cost them dearly: South Shore tied the game on the power play with 37 seconds to go in regulation, and got the winner just six seconds later.
“To see what the kids went through – all weekend they battled, they played their butts off and did a lot of great things,” said coach Jon Sim the next day, trying to sound diplomatic but clearly frustrated by the late-game calls.
“I’m not one to blame things on other people, but this was very upsetting to myself, the organization, our kids, and the parents who had put in a ton of work.”
The Bombers were still alive after the game, but needed help from other teams the next day and didn’t get it, so their 1-1-2 record in the round robin eliminated them from contention.
“It hurts a lot,” Sim said.
Game-by-game results for the Pictou County Wear Well Bombers at Major Bantam provincials, hosted at the Pictou County Wellness Centre (March 14-17):
March 15:
Pictou County 4, South Shore Lumberjacks 5
BOMBERS SCORING:
Goals: Keifer Avery, Blaise MacDonald, Lucas Canning, Cameron MacKinnon
Assists: Cole Sellers (2), Chase Nicholas, Landon Sim, Adam Farrell
March 15:
Bombers 3, ACCEL 1
BOMBERS SCORING:
Goals: Lucas Canning (3)
Assists: Kiefer Avery (2), Landon Sim
March 14:
Pictou County 4, Gulls 4
BOMBERS SCORING:
Goals: Lucas Canning (2), Kiefer Avery, Blaise MacDonald.
Assists: Cole Sellers (2), Chase Nicholas, Tanner Steele, Charlie Livingstone
March 14:
Pictou County 3, Cole Harbour Storm 3
BOMBERS SCORING:
Goals: Blaise MacDonald (2), Dylan Kontuk
Assists: Chase Nicholas (2), Adam Farrell, Ben Wallace, Lucas Canning
Notes:
• Bombers forward Lucas Canning was named Tournament MVP with seven points in the round robin (6G, 1A).
• Pictou County goaltender Thomas Gariepy was named Top Goalie.
• Bombers defenceman Cole Sellers was a First-Team all-star.
