Shewfelt's Hat-Trick Powers Penguins in Penalty-Filled Victory Over Bearcats

LANTZ, NS – In a game that was as much about special teams as it was about skill, the Penguins' power play proved to be the difference, leading them to a 7-5 victory over the Mosaik Bearcats in a feisty, penalty-filled affair at the East Hants Sportsplex on Saturday night.

The Penguins' offensive dynamo, #91 Andrew Shewfelt, was the story of the night, recording a hat-trick and adding an assist to power his team's offense. He was part of a dominant line with #19 Taylor Burke, who had a goal and three assists, and was supported from the blue line by #4 Will Thompson, who chipped in three helpers.

The game was a wild, back-and-forth affair from the start. The Bearcats struck first, scoring two goals just 13 seconds apart to take an early 2-0 lead. However, the Penguins responded with a fury, scoring three unanswered goals before the first intermission. Two of those, including Shewfelt's first of the night with just six seconds left in the period, came on the power play, setting the tone for the evening.

The second period saw more of the same, with the teams trading goals. The Penguins' special teams continued to excel, adding another power-play marker from #9 Ty Hunter. The Bearcats kept pace with even-strength goals from #11 Colin Campbell and #16 Brett Mcneil, but could not overcome their discipline issues.

Shewfelt completed his hat-trick with yet another power-play goal in the third period, the team's third of the night, which ultimately stood as the game-winner. Noseworthy iced the game with an empty-net goal in the final two minutes.

The game was marred by a staggering 24 penalties, resulting in 78 minutes of infractions. The Bearcats were assessed 15 penalties, including three 10-minute misconducts, which severely hampered their ability to build momentum. The Penguins capitalized, going 3-for-9 on the power play, while the Bearcats managed one power-play goal with a two-man advantage late in the third.

Penguins' goalie #31 Bryan Gillis secured the win with 27 saves. At the other end, Bearcats' netminder #73 Matthew Welsh was heroic in defeat, facing a barrage of 51 shots and making 44 saves to keep his team within reach.

The victory pushes the Penguins to a perfect 3-0 record, establishing them as an early offensive powerhouse in the Northumberland Division. The Mosaik Bearcats fall to 0-2, left to rue the penalty box that cost them a chance at a road win.

Final Score: Penguins 7, Mosaik Bearcats 5