TRENTON
The Pictou County Scotians are closing in on the Glace Bay Miners.
After a weekend sweep of the Strait Pirates in Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League action, combined with a Miners loss in Antigonish against the Bulldogs, the Scotians (13-3-4) have pulled to with three points of Glace Bay (16-3-1) in the race for first spot in the Sid Rowe Division.
The Scotians beat the Pirates 5-2 on Sunday in Trenton, as new goaltender Michael Binczyk – a native of Thunder Bay, Ont. – flew into Nova Scotia late Saturday, suited up for the Scotians and stopped 51 shots.
“Long travel coming from Thunder Bay, not much sleep, new team,” said coach Brandon Verge of his 18-year-old netminder, who had contacted the Scotians organization to inquire about their goaltending situation.
“He came in and played a fantastic game. With more practice and game situations, I can only see him getting stronger in nets.”
Robert Burrows had two goals and an assist, while Gaeten Tremblay, Ian Keating and Jacob Pentz – with his 14th of the year – also scored for the Scotians.
Bryce Reynolds and Josh Foster had the goals for Strait.
On Friday in Port Hawkesbury, Jeremy McFarlane continued to put the puck in the net, scoring two goals to pace Pictou County in a 4-1 win. McFarlane has a team-leading 17 goals in 16 games since joining the Scotians.
David Culberson and Kirklin added singles, while Reynolds had the only Pirates goal.
Jared Livingstone picked up two assists and Blake Meech had 21 saves in goal.
Prior to the weekend, Verge had said the Scotians need to do a better job maintaining composure and staying out of the penalty box.
“This week was, by far, the best we have been. It was great to see and only helps us moving forward.”
“This week was, by far, the best we have been. It was great to see and only helps us moving forward.”
The Scotians, with a record of 13-3-4, are in second place in the Sid Rowe Division and are now 13 points ahead of the Pirates and 12 up on Antigonish.
They play in Antigonish on Friday and on Sunday have a home game against the Liverpool Privateers, the first clash of the season between the teams who met in last April’s league championship series, won by the Scotians in six games.
