Cam Patton's OT Winner gives Bearcats 3-2 Series lead

Lantz, NS - The Truro Bearcats moved within one win of the Hollingsworth Cup after earning a 4-3 overtime victory over the East Hants Penguins in Game 5 of the Northumberland Division Final on Tuesday night in Lantz.

With the best-of-seven series tied 2-2 entering the game, both teams were looking to gain the upper hand in what proved to be a closely contested matchup. Cameron Patton scored his 5th goal of the playoffs in overtime as the Bearcats took a 3-2 lead in the series.

The opening period was a cautious one, with both teams limiting high-quality chances early. East Hants held the edge in shots through the first 20 minutes, but goaltenders Matt Welsh and Bryan Gillis kept the game scoreless heading into the first intermission.

The Penguins opened the scoring midway through the second period when Taylor Burke scored his 4th goal of the playoffs, finishing off a setup from Regan Spears to give the home side a 1-0 lead.

Truro responded on the power play later in the period. Mitchell Deruelle found Merle Putnam down low, and Putnam converted from a sharp angle for his playoff-leading 10th goal, tying the game 1-1.

Neither team was able to break the deadlock before the end of the second period, sending the game into the third tied at one.

The Bearcats took their first lead of the night just 11 seconds into the final frame. Denver Lynds won a puck battle in the corner and found Mitchell Deruelle in front, who scored to make it 2-1.

Truro added to its lead just over three minutes later when Lynds scored his 2nd goal of the playoffs, converting on his own rebound to put the Bearcats ahead 3-1.

East Hants answered quickly, cutting the deficit to 3-2 less than a minute later on Regan Spears’ 7th goal of the playoffs. The Penguins then tied the game 3-3 on the power play when Jimmy Scullion scored his 3rd of the postseason with under nine minutes remaining in regulation.

Both teams had opportunities late in the third period, but neither side was able to find the winner. One notable defensive play came in the final seconds when Shaun Neville broke up a late East Hants chance, helping send the game to overtime.

In the extra period, Truro generated several chances before eventually finding the winner. After Carson Lanceleve forced a turnover at the blue line, the puck came to Cameron Patton, who moved in alone and scored his 5th goal of the playoffs to give the Bearcats the 4-3 win.

Matt Welsh made 42 saves in the victory for Truro, including several key stops during a third period in which East Hants outshot the Bearcats 23-10.

At the other end, Bryan Gillis made 32 saves for the Penguins.

With the win, the Bearcats return home with an opportunity to close out the series on home ice.

Final Score: Truro 4-3 East Hants (OT)
Photo Credits : Nick Gaines Sports Photography