Bearcats win Hollingsworth Cup after 3-1 Game 7 victory.

Bearcats Take Game 7, Capture Inaugural Al Hollingsworth Cup

Lantz, NS - In a winner-take-all Game 7 showdown, both teams were looking to make history as the inaugural Al Hollingsworth Cup Champions.

It was the Bearcats who drew first blood when G Blackmore slid the puck over to Cole Julian, who fired a knucklepuck past Bryan Gillis to give Truro a huge 1-0 lead on the road.

The Penguins would respond, however, as Jimmy Scullion, who had been the Bearcats’ Achilles heel all series long, pounced on a loose puck and buried it to tie the game 1-1, bringing the sold-out Sportsplex to life.

From there, both goaltenders settled in.

Bryan Gillis and Matt Welsh were locked in early and wouldn’t allow another goal in the opening frame, as both teams headed to the dressing room after 20 minutes with the game deadlocked at 1-1.

In the second period, the Penguins earned the game’s first power play and generated a few good looks, but Welsh stood tall, while the Bearcats’ defence did a tremendous job clearing away rebounds and keeping the front of the net clean.

Then the Bearcats caught a break.

A bouncing puck found Kelly Bent, who suddenly had a breakaway from the red line. Bent made no mistake, beating Gillis five-hole to restore the Bearcats’ lead and make it 2-1. That goal would stand as the difference heading into the third.

Then, in the third period, the Bearcats got the insurance marker they were looking for.

Daniel Perigo slipped in behind the Penguins’ defence and fired a low shot past Gillis to extend the Truro lead to 3-1. From there, the Bearcats’ biggest opponent became the clock.

The Penguins pushed hard, throwing everything they had toward the Truro net, but the Bearcats stayed composed, blocked shots, won battles, and leaned on Matt Welsh, who was sensational in the biggest game of the season.

With the goalie pulled, the Penguins went on the attack in a desperate push to keep their season alive. But in a cruel twist, their own undoing helped seal the game, as they were called for too many men on the ice late in the third period, all but putting this one to bed.

As the final seconds ticked away, the many Bearcat fans who made the trip to Lantz rose to their feet and cheered their team on, knowing history was only moments away.

The Bearcats had done it.

With a gutsy 3-1 road victory in Game 7, Truro captured the inaugural Al Hollingsworth Cup, cementing their place in league history as the first team to ever lift the trophy.

Matt Welsh was nothing short of spectacular, turning aside 44 shots on the night and once again proving to be the backbone of the Bearcats throughout the postseason. His incredible playoff run was rightfully recognized, as he was named Playoff MVP.

A huge congratulations as well to the East Hants Penguins on a tremendous season and an incredible playoff battle. 

To everyone who packed the rinks, supported each team, travelled on the road, and brought the energy all season long… We’ll see you all next season for Year 2.