Penguins Earn 5–3 Road Victory Over Bearcats in Rivalry Showdown

Penguins Earn 5–3 Road Victory Over Bearcats in Rivalry Showdown

October 17, 2026 | Truro, Nova Scotia

Photo Credit: Gabrielle Murphy

The East Hants Penguins and Truro Bearcats renewed their rivalry Saturday night, delivering a playoff-like atmosphere in front of a large crowd at the Colchester Legion Stadium. In a contest featuring heavy hits, a spirited fight, timely goals, and plenty of emotion. When the dust dettled the Penguins emerged with a hard-fought 5–3 victory.

It was the first meeting between the two clubs since last spring's memorable seven-game Northumberland Division Final, and despite being just two weeks into the regular season, the intensity suggested there was still plenty of unfinished business between the rivals.

Brandon Verge opened the scoring for Truro midway through the first period before Jimmy Scullion responded for East Hants, sending the teams into the intermission tied 1–1.

Scullion struck again early in the second to give the Penguins their first lead of the night. The physical play continued to escalate, highlighted by a fight between Truro's Denver Lynds and East Hants' Connor Baker following an earlier hit which Lynds got the better of Zach Sill.

Mitchell Deruelle answered on the power play to bring the Bearcats even midway through the period, but it was only a couple minutes later that Josh Macdonald restored the Penguins' advantage, giving East Hants a 3–2 lead through forty minutes.

The third period provided no shortage of excitement. Jordan Wentzell tied the game early with a shorthanded goal assisted by goaltender Matt Welsh, setting up a tightly contested finish.

Both teams traded scoring opportunities as Welsh and Penguins netminder Bryan Gillis came up with several important saves. With just over six minutes remaining, Tyler Noseworthy broke the deadlock to give East Hants a 4–3 lead. 

A late penalty to the Bearcats killed any chance of a late comeback. Will Thompson added an empty-net marker with 36 seconds remaining to secure the victory.

East Hants finished with a 45–34 advantage in shots, while Scullion led the Penguins with two goals. Verge recorded a goal and an assist for Truro.

The victory keeps East Hants unbeaten to open the 2026–27 campaign, while the Bearcats suffer their first setback of the season.

Final Score: East Hants 5, Truro 3.