Penguins’ Strong Third Period Secures Victory Over Bearcats on Heritage Day

Final Score: Penguins 7, Bearcats 4

Photo Credits: Nick Gaines Sports Photography

It was Heritage Day across Nova Scotia yesterday, and the East Hants Sportsplex was buzzing for the afternoon matinee between East Hants and Truro, the Highway 102 rivals.

The Penguins struck first, putting the Bearcats behind the eight ball within the opening two minutes when Jimmy Scullion scored his 6th of the season. Kelly Bent responded quickly, netting his 8th goal to even the game at 1–1. Just minutes later, Mitch Deruelle, a strong addition since returning to the Bearcats lineup, gave Truro a 2–1 lead with his 3rd of the year. Andrew Shewfelt answered for East Hants, tying the game 2–2 with his 14th goal of the season. The whirlwind first period didn't stop there as Cole Julian continued his hot streak of late, scoring his 6th of the year to restore the Bearcats’ lead and send them into the first intermission up 3–2.

The second period saw Truro’s penalty kill in action, as the Bearcats spent nearly half the frame shorthanded but successfully kept East Hants at bay. Truro then converted on a power play of their own midway thru the period, when Cam Patton scored his 9th of the season to make it 4–2. The Penguins gained momentum late in the period when Jordan Wentzell scored his 4th of the year, cutting the lead to 4–3 heading into the final frame, setting up an exciting finish to this one.

In the third, East Hants showed why they’ve been one of the league’s strongest third-period teams. The Penguins would kill off an early Bearcats powerplay, and then Jordan Wentzell would get his second of the night and 5th of the season, to tie the game 4–4. Taylor Burke then gave the Penguins the lead for the first time since the opening minutes, netting his 17th of the season with just under ten minutes remaining. Truro pushed hard but couldn’t find the equalizer, and East Hants added a pair of empty-net goals, Shewfelt’s second of the night and 15th of the season, followed by Tyler Pike’s 3rd on the season to secure a 7–4 victory.

Matt Welsh turned aside 44 shots in the loss for Truro, while Jet Miller earned the win for East Hants with 26 saves.

The Penguins will now head into the playoffs as the number one seed and home ice advantage throughout the playoffs which are set to start Feb 28th. The Bearcats who will be the number two seed, still have their regular season finale set for Feb 22nd at 7:30pm vs Antigonish.