There are two weeks left in the regular season and five teams are battling for just three available spots in the Maritime Hockey League post-season. The Eastlink South also remains up for grabs, and first overall in the league.
Truro, and South Shore hold the 3rd and 4th spots in the Eastlink South Division for now. Pictou County is tied in points with the Lumberjacks, but on the outside looking in to start the week due to having two fewer wins. The Bearcats continue to struggle, having posted just four wins since January 11th. They’re now in a situation where they may not control their playoff fate as the other two squads each have two games in hand. South Shore and Pictou County end the season with a home and home series that will likely decide one, of not both, playoff spots. The Lumberjacks helped their cause with a huge 5-4 comeback win over Truro in a shootout on Thursday, where they tied the game with just 1:16 to go in the third period, and then picked up back to back wins over Valley. The Crushers took care of business with wins last week over Edmundston and Valley.
Yarmouth beat Truro on Friday, but are now just one point ahead of Amherst for first place in the division after a loss to the Ramblers the following night. The Mariners have a game in hand, which is key this late in the season.
As we shift focus to the Eastlink North, the Aces and Timberwolves continue to trade places for the fourth and final playoff spot. The Rapids aren’t out of this yet with two games in hand on Miramichi and three on St. Stephen. Grand Falls scored four times in the third period on Sunday against Miramichi to force overtime, where Jean-Simon Belanger scored the winner for a big two points. Miramichi face both St. Stephen and Grand Falls this week. The Rapids play four times in five days, with a quick trip to Nova Scotia to play South Shore and Yarmouth before returning home to face Pictou County. The Aces will also play the Crushers this week.
Summerside bounced back from two straight losses with wins over Miramichi and Grand Falls. They face Edmundston and Campbellton this week, and are still in control of first overall in the MHL. Looking ahead, all we know for sure regarding the playoffs is that the Tigers and Blizzard will meet in the first round.
It’s all setting up an exciting final two weeks of action. As always, all games can be viewed on HockeyTV.
Date | Visitor | Home | Venue | Time |
Tue, Feb 26 | Grand Falls | South Shore | Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre | 7:30 pm |
Wed, Feb 27 | Grand Falls | Yarmouth | Mariners Centre | 7:00 pm |
Thu, Feb 28 | Edmundston | Summerside | Credit Union Place | 7:00 pm |
Fri, Mar 1 | Truro | Valley | Kings Mutual Century Centre | 7:00 pm |
Fri, Mar 1 | Amherst | South Shore | Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre | 7:00 pm |
Fri, Mar 1 | Miramichi | St. Stephen | Garcelon Civic Centre | 7:00 pm |
Fri, Mar 1 | Pictou County | Grand Falls | E. & P. Sénéchal Centre | 7:30 pm |
Fri, Mar 1 | Summerside | Campbellton | Campbellton Memorial Civic Centre | 7:30 pm |
Sat, Mar 2 | Truro | Amherst | Amherst Stadium | 7:00 pm |
Sat, Mar 2 | Yarmouth | South Shore | Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre | 7:00 pm |
Sat, Mar 2 | Pictou County | Edmundston | Centre Jean Daigle | 7:30 pm |
Sat, Mar 2 | Grand Falls | Miramichi | Miramichi Civic Centre | 7:30 pm |
Sun, Mar 3 | Pictou County | St. Stephen | Garcelon Civic Centre | 3:00 pm |