TRENTON – Just one more win makes it all even.
The Pictou County Scotians, who were down 3-0 at one point in their playoff series against the Antigonish Bulldogs, will head into Antigonish on Friday for Game 6 and if they win that, the teams would meet in two days’ time at Trenton rink in a winner-moves-on scenario.
“Obviously we’re facing elimination, do-or-die,” said Jacob Pentz, who broke a four-game playoff drought with a Game 5 tally last Sunday. “But, we’ve definitely put ourselves in a position to win the series now.”
It hasn’t been easy at any point; the Scotians had to rally from two goals down in both game four and five, keeping alive their hopes of a second consecutive Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League title.
“We expect they will give us their best effort of the series,” coach Brandon Verge said. “They are at home with a packed barn, and a chance to eliminate us. We need to stick to our game plan and not get overwhelmed with the atmosphere.”
Matt Murray again will start in the Scotians net, Verge said.
“He has been great since being called upon after Game 2 and needs to stay focused and give us that big save when we need it, which he has so far.”
The first three games of the series, Pentz added, “could have went either way, we just couldn’t get the bounces, but things have started coming together for us.”
Pentz has a goal and three assists in the playoffs after leading the team in regular-season scoring. Robert Burrows has seven assists and Morgan Timmons has scored four goals against Antigoish. Both of those lead the Scotians in their respective categories.
If a Game 7 were to take place on Sunday, it will start at 7 p.m.
