PAGE 10 THE SHORELINE JOURNAL - NOVEMBER, 2020 a look at the goaltending and Team newcomers with defensive corps in place to major junior and/or junior ex- start the season. Offensively, perience make the Bearcats a Tid-Bits BEARCAT BANTER four returnees are on the ros- competitive team from the ter. Included in that group are get-go. Included are Holden Continued from page 7 Expect Excitement Caleb Hart (20) and Cole Ju- Kodak (Cloverdale, BC), Tristen Second round of Internet projects announced October 18 sion will enable all teams to lian (19), a pair of third year Therrien (Prevost, QC), Carson On September 1, Develop Nova Scotia announces the second The week of October 19th clearly articulate all informa- Bearcats known for the full Gallant (Sackville, NS), Ben round of Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative projects, which will pro- was a big week for MHL tion on sale of season and 200 foot game. Sheffar (Lower Sackville) and vide access to an additional 32,000 homes and businesses. This Hockey. game tickets. It will also be the Eighteen year-olds Ben Brandon Cianflone (Lorraine, agreement with pre-qualified Internet service provider Bell Canada A revised schedule of 40 opportunity for the RECC to Fraser and Lucas Parsons are QC). All are 19 year-olds. will provide more than 100 communities across the province with games is now being proposed clearly state the protocols in prepping for their sophomore Rookies looking to earn high-speed internet, at speeds higher than CRTC targets. with League Governors ex- effect for Bearcat games at the season, looking for increased their junior stripes are Sam With preparatory and engineering work already underway on pected to decide upon it this facility. Much will be provin- responsibility. Archibald (17, Debert) and the new projects, it is expected that more than 11,000 homes and week. cially regulated and must be Bryan Laureigh (20), a New Trey Sturge (17, Sydney). businesses will have access by summer 2021; 21,000 by end of It makes a lot of sense. All adhered to by all, to keep the Jersey native, is still unable to They’ve fit in quickly. 2021; and all 32,000 by summer 2022. play is within the respective The Nova Scotia Internet Funding Trust is investing $59 million sticks on the ice and fans in come north due to border restric- This is a young Bearcat in these projects, with leveraged funds of $61 million from the pub- Divisions until late January the seats. tions. His arrival would be a big team with a good mix of skill, lic and private sector. when inter-divisional play may Follow the Bearcat Website plus. Gavin Hart (19) spent last size and experience, and deep begin, if everything goes to and Twitter to keep abreast of year with the Mooseheads follow- enthusiasm. plan. any announcements. ing a productive two years in Prepared by Gerry Hale,Truro A positive schedule deci- Last week, the Banter took Truro. He will be a go—to guy. Junior A Bearcats MHL Approves 40 Game Season Truro, N.S. (October 22, 2020) The MHL Waiting Game The Maritime Junior Hockey League’s Board of Governors have Things were looking good, This week, the Banter will approved a modified 40-game schedule for the 2020-21 regular with all teams high on prepa- begin to zero in on players. season during a meeting Wednesday night. ration, and their respective That’s a positive. “Thank you to the Board of Governors, MHL Executive, Return venues looking for the green The defence-first game has to Play Committee, and team staff for their work in getting us to a light to open up to meet the served Truro well over the years, point where we can bring hockey back to all twelve of our mar- hungry hockey fraternity. and it usually begins in the kets”, says MHL President Steve Dykeman. “It has taken consider- Things can change, though. crease and extends outward. able efforts with stakeholders throughout the Maritimes. Many of Late last week the QMJHL had This year’s tandem features these conversations will continue as we navigate our way through to shut down several Quebec fourth year goalie, Alec Mac- the 2020-21 regular season. As we’ve stressed from the start, safety franchises. That was a concern. Donald, and rookie, Frederic for fans, team staff, and players is paramount. We’re confident that The spike in Covid cases in Plaurde (18). MacDonald (20) the measures put in place in each of the rinks our teams play in New Brunswick caused was the MHL’s busiest goalie will meet that mandate, and are excited to welcome back our fans.” Hockey Nova Scotia to pre- last year, finishing with a 2.93 The season start date is Friday, October 30th and ends on March vent teams travelling for GAA. He’s ready to go. 28th, 2021. All games will be available to view on HockeyTV. As games to that province. That Plourde, a New Brunswick previously announced, the league will kick off the 2020-21 season was a concern, and lead to native, played the last two sea- with Honda MHL Thank You Week. Specially designed “Thank You” MHL cancellations. sons with the Saint John jerseys will be worn during each team’s home opener in tribute Decisions by Public Health Midget Vitos. Truro acquired to the workers on the front-line of the COVID-19 pandemic. MHL are pending for sure, it’s a his rights from Edmundston. teams will auction off the jerseys on their Facebook page through- tough call. The Bearcats had to Defensively, the Bearcats out Honda MHL Thank You Week. More information will be re- focus on what they could con- will be led by returnees, Jack leased in the coming days, leading up to opening night. trol - getting ready for a pair of MacGovern (20, a fourth year PERCY SMITH The Board of Governors voted in favour of “mini-divisions” to exhibition games. Bearcat), Marc Aucoin (20, enhance regional rivalries for the 2020-21 season. In the Eastlink Friday, October 16, they were third year) and sophomores, USED CARS North, the two mini-divisions will consist of: off to Valley to face the Wildcats. Dell Welton and Dylan Quality Used Vehicles Mini-Division #1 Truro and Valley each went 1 for MacLeod, both 18. Edmundston Blizzard, Grand Falls Rapids, and Fredericton Red 4 on the powerplay while Truro Zach Bennett (20) brings size, FINANCING AVAILABLE Wings won the scoreboard race 6-3. a scoring touch, and experience visit: percysmithauto.com Mini-Division #2 Saturday, October 17, they were to the backside. The Bay Roberts Campbellton Tigers, Miramichi Timberwolves, and Summerside at the RECC to face the visiting native was acquired in the off- Valley • 902-895-8453 Western Capitals Pictou County Crushers. With- season from Campbellton. Call Percy Smith The Eastlink South will be divided into: out fans in attendance, Pictou The rookie component fea- Mini-Division #1 won out in the overtime 5-4. tures Truro native, Tanner 902-899-7933 Amherst Ramblers, Pictou County Weeks Crushers, and Truro Tuesday, October 20 at the Greatorex (17), a 2019 Bearcat or Bearcats RECC, Valley scored two third Territorial, and Jacob Christie period goals to defeat Truro 5-2. (18) a 2018 St. Stephen pick Louie Smith Mini-Division #2 Thursday, October 22, Truro vis- from the Dartmouth Midgets. 902-890-6140 South Shore Lumberjacks, Valley Wildcats, and Yarmouth Mariners ited Pictou to pick up a 4-2 vic- This group is meshing. The regular season’s 40 games will be laid out as follows: tory. Truro’s Alec MacDonald Based on story by Gerry • 8 games (4 at home and 4 on the road) against each team in went 2 for 31 for the win. Hale,Truro Junior A Bearcats a mini-division – 16 games total • 4 games (2 at home and 2 on the road) against each of the other three teams in the same division (Eastlink North mini-divi- Recognizing Older Nova Scotians sion #1 vs #2, Eastlink South mini-division #1 vs #2) – 12 games Older Nova Scotians are lead- they can stay connected to their total ers in the province. They are communities as long as they • 2 games (1 at home and 1 on the road) against each team in business owners and entrepre- can. the opposite division (Eastlink North vs Eastlink South) – 12 games neurs, volunteers, mentors, care- This spring, Senior Safety Pro- total givers and have a wealth of grams received emergency fund- Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and current situation knowledge and expertise to ing totalling $360,000, and in New Brunswick, cross-divisional games, those between the East- share with other generations. Community Links received link North and Eastlink South teams, will not begin until the last SHIFT - Nova Scotia’s Action $110,000 to help them respond week of January. The exception to this is the Summerside Western Plan for an Aging Population is to increased needs due to Capitals, who will begin the season playing their twelve games, six changing the narrative about COVID-19. Last year, an invest- home and six away, against the Eastlink South. older adults. Under this plan, ment of $390,000 supported 30 For the 2020-21 season, every team will qualify for the Canadian government is investing in age- projects through the Age- friendly communities, expand- Friendly Communities Grant Tire Cup Playoffs. The playoff format will be announced at a later ing community transit, program, which supports proj- date. The complete regular season schedule will be released on supporting older workers and ects that help overcome social Monday, October 26th.