TRENTON
The playoffs are here for the Pictou County Scotians.
Looking to win back-to-back Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League titles, Pictou County will face the Antigonish Bulldogs in the first round of the playoffs, with Game 1 taking place Wednesday in Trenton, starting at 7:30 p.m.
“Antigonish has a big team and they’re going to come out hitting. We expect that,” said Scotians coach Brandon Verge.
“We know they’ll be coming at us.”
Game 2 will take place Friday at Antigonish Arena, with the third game Sunday in Trenton, a 7 p.m. contest.
The Scotians eliminated the Bulldogs in a six-game playoff series a year ago on their way to the franchise’s first-ever league championship.
Barring injuries, Verge will have a full roster for the series, with three players who’ll be healthy scratches; he said he won’t be afraid to make lineup changes as the series progresses if one or more players don’t show up.
“That’s not a threat, it’s just how hockey works. We have a very solid, deep lineup and everybody has to come and play, just do their job.”
The Strait Pirates will take on the Glace Bay Miners in the other Sid Rowe Division series.
The Fred Fox Division matchups will see the East Hants Penguins play the Valley Maple Leafs, with the Liverpool Privateers – last season’s playoff runner-up – pitted against the Cole Harbour Colts.
All series are best-of-seven.
NOTES:
• Pictou County had a record of 1-2-1 against Antigonish this season.
• Blake Meech will start in goal for the Scotians.
• Forward Nick Fewer is rejoining Pictou County for the playoffs.
• Antigonish beat the Cumberland County Blues by three touchdowns on Sunday – a 21-0 embarrassment.
BY THE NUMBERS
Pictou County Scotians
Regular Season Record: 21-7-6 (2nd place, Sid Rowe Division)
Top 5 Scorers: Jacob Pentz (20G, 29A), Jeremy McFarlane (19G, 14A), Robert Burrows (14G, 15A), Blair Dewtie (11G, 13A), William Kelly (7G, 17A).
Antigonish Bulldogs
Regular Season Record: 17-15-2 (3rd place, Sid Rowe Division)
Top 5 Scorers: Devin MacLaughlin (23G, 27A), Giordano Saputo (20G, 24A), Connor Fraser (8G, 31A), Taylor Leger (14G, 15A), Brian MacDougall (10G, 18A).
Scotians beat Pirates 6-4 in regular season finale
TRENTON – The Pictou County Scotians finished off their regular season on Sunday with a 6-4 victory at home over the Strait Pirates.
Logan Vandemeerakker had two goals and set up two others, Jacob Pentz had a goal and three assists, while getting single tallies were Morgan Timmons, Lucas Rushton and Robert Burrows.
Colin Holmes got credit with four assists as the Scotians finished the year with a record of 21-7-6, which was good enough for second place in the Sid Rowe Division behind the Glace Bay Miners. Glace Bay finished with a record of 26-6-2, tied for league-best with the East Hants Penguins, champions in the Fred Fox Division.
Ryan Lawless, Avery Warner, Nicholas MacGillivray and Jackson Beck scored for Strait.
Pentz finished the season with 49 points (20G, 29A) to lead the Scotians in scoring.
