Bearcats beat Bulldogs 4-1 in game 4. lead series 3-1

Bearcats Defeat Bulldogs 4–1 in Game 4

The Truro Bearcats defeated the Antigonish Bulldogs 4–1 Sunday night in Game 4 of their playoff series, taking a 3–1 series lead and moving one win away from advancing to the Northumberland Championship Finals.

The Bearcats opened the scoring just over eight minutes into the first period when Denver Lynds scored his first goal of the playoffs, finishing a beautiful pass from Shaun Neville to give Truro a 1–0 lead. Truro controlled much of the play during the opening period but were unable to extend the lead, as Bulldogs goaltender Justin Sumarah turned aside several opportunities. At the other end, Matt Welsh was solid for the Bearcats as both teams headed into the intermission with Truro leading 1–0.

The Bulldogs tied the game midway through the second period following a successful penalty kill on a Bearcats 5-on-3 power play. Jake Kyle scored the equalizer with assists from Zach Fitzgerald and Calum MacPherson to make it 1–1. The Bearcats regained the lead two minutes later when Cameron Patton converted a pass from Colin Campbell and Matt Jessome to restore the Truro advantage at 2–1. Both teams generated chances through the remainder of the period. Welsh made several key saves to preserve the lead, while Sumarah continued to keep the Bulldogs within one goal.

In the third period, Truro added insurance when Bruce Gillis broke through the middle and scored to extend the lead to 3–1. Colin Campbell later sealed the victory with an empty-net goal.

Welsh finished the night with 31 saves on 32 shots in the win. Sumarah stopped 42 of 45 shots for the Bulldogs.

With the victory, Truro takes a 3–1 series lead. The teams will return to the Colchester Legion Stadium for Game 5 on Tuesday night.