MacDonald forced to leave early as Penguins score five straight to beat Bearcats.

Lantz, NS - In a highly anticipated Northumberland Division matchup, the Bearcats traveled to East Hants to face the Penguins in Nova Scotia Senior Hockey League action. When these two rivals meet, intensity and drama are almost guaranteed and Friday night was no exception.

The game started fast. Midway through the first period, Truro went on the power play, and Daniel Perigo set up Cam Patton for his fifth of the season, giving the Bearcats an early 1–0 lead. Just 18 seconds later, Patton scored again off a Colin Campbell pass to make it 2–0.

East Hants responded shortly after that as Jordan Wentzell scored his third of the season when he took a pass from Jimmy Scullion to put the Penguins on the board and bring life to the building. It didn't last long as Carson Lanceleve, would score his fifth of the season, restoring the two-goal lead for the Bearcats who would go into the intermission up 3-1.

The second period saw both teams battling hard for every inch of ice. Opportunities were limited, and both goaltenders made key saves to keep the game close. Midway through the period, the Penguins scored on the power play as Regan Spears would score his 11th of the season when he converted a loose puck in front, cutting the lead to 3–2.

Alec MacDonald had been strong in goal for Truro, stopping 33 of 35 shots and making several key saves on close-range opportunities.

Late in the second period, a missed icing call led to a dangerous sequence in front of the net. During the scramble, a player was pushed into MacDonald, knocking him to the ice and forcing him to leave the game. Third-string goaltender Dylan Bergmark entered to finish the night. This was Bergmark's first action of the season. With a change in net, East Hants pressed and quickly tied the game 3–3 on when Taylor Burke scored his 10th of the season.

The third period remained fast and physical. East Hants would get an early powerplay where Burke would score his second of the night to give the Penguins their first lead on the night. Shortly after Cameron Pound scored his third of the season to give the Penguins an insurance marker that was enough to put this one to bed. The Penguins would get one more from Regan Spears, and the final score would finish 6-3 Penguins.

The win for the Penguins moves them to 27 points on the season, five clear of the Bearcats whose 11 game win streak is now snapped. 

Bryan Gillis was solid between the pipes for the Penguins making 26 saves on the night, and shutting the door when the Bearcats were up 3-1. 

These two teams will meet twice more this season, with the next matchup scheduled for February 6th in Truro at the Colchester Legion Stadium

Photo Credit - Nick Gaines Sports Photography