Shorthanded Bearcats edge Bulldogs in Shootout

Final Score: Bearcats 3, Bulldogs 2 (SO)

ANTIGONISH, NS — A short-benched Truro Bearcats squad earned a hard-fought 3–2 shootout victory over the Antigonish Bulldogs on Saturday night, as both teams traded momentum in a physical, playoff-style matchup.

Physical play and pace were evident from the opening faceoff. Justin Sumarah started for Antigonish, while Matt Welsh got the nod for Truro the fifth time in six meetings the two goaltenders have opposed each other this season.

As Truro adjusted to players in unfamiliar forward roles, Antigonish generated early pressure. However, with just under four minutes remaining, Cole Julian jumped on a loose puck off the bench and beat Sumarah from the circle for his 5th goal of the season, giving the Bearcats a 1–0 lead. Mitchell Deruelle, playing his first game since November, recorded the primary assist.Both teams created chances late in the period, but Welsh and Sumarah turned them aside to keep the score 1–0 Truro after one.

The middle frame continued at high intensity, with early penalties to both sides creating power-play opportunities. Neither team converted, as the goaltending duel held firm. Midway through the period, Truro extended its lead when AP forward Cale McLellan made a move in the slot and slid the puck into an open net for his 1st goal of the season, with Deruelle again involved on the play. Antigonish responded later in the period when Bradley Kennedy finished a scoring chance for his 10th goal of the season, cutting the deficit to 2–1. The Bulldogs pushed for the equalizer, while Truro threatened on counterattacks  including a Patrick Stewart shot off the post but the score remained 2–1 after two.

Antigonish carried momentum into the third and tied the game 2–2 just under five minutes in, as Morgan Lake scored on a strong individual rush for his 5th goal of the season. The Bulldogs pressed for the go-ahead goal and earned multiple power plays in the period, but Truro’s penalty kill held. The Bearcats appeared to regain the lead midway through the frame when Cam Patton slid the puck through Sumarah, but the goal was disallowed due to goalie interference. Welsh made several key saves late, including a point-blank stop in the closing minutes, while Sumarah matched him at the other end to send the game to overtime tied 2–2.

The extra period was cautious and structured, with both teams limiting chances. Mitch Deruelle nearly ended it on a breakaway before a backcheck from Nick Mahar disrupted the opportunity. In the shootout, Bruce Gillis and Mitch Deruelle scored for Truro, while Welsh stopped all Antigonish attempts to secure the 3–2 victory.

Welsh finished with 39 saves to earn his league leading 13th win, while Sumarah stopped 42 shots in a strong performance for Antigonish.

The teams will meet once more in the regular season on February 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Colchester Legion Stadium in Truro.