The final week of September brings twelve games on the Maritime Hockey League schedule, beginning with rare Wednesday games. The action kicks off at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre as the Fred Page Cup hosts from Amherst (2-1-0-0) make the trip over the Cobequid Pass to face the Truro Bearcats (2-0-0-0). The Ramblers have played just one road game so far, which was a 6-3 win in New Glasgow over the Crushers last week. This is also the start of three games in four days for the Bearcats, two of which are on the road.
Also on Wednesday, Edmundston (2-2-0-0) is home to Campbellton (2-1-0-0) in a matchup of two of the four teams tied with four points in the Eastlink North. It’s been a surprising start to some for the Blizzard, who have alternated wins and loses, and who have a big game in Summerside (2-2-0-0) looming on Saturday.
Thursday and Friday continue to highlight divisional games, including South Shore (2-1-1-0) home to Yarmouth (3-0-0-0) in a rematch of last year’s Eastlink South Division Final which was won by the Mariners. St. Stephen (2-1-0-0) have had a solid start to their season, highlighted by a 2-1 win over Edmundston on Sunday, and can help their cause with a good result over the winless Timberwolves.
Ten of the league’s twelve teams are in action on Saturday. Grand Falls have played just two games so far, a split with Edmundston, and have a home and home with the Aces. Truro and Yarmouth face off at Mariners Centre for the first time since the Mariners’ first round, seven game victory over the Bearcats. Each team was also ranked in the CJHL’s weekly top 20 rankings this week.
Catch all the action on HockeyTV.
| Date | Visiting | Home | Venue | Time |
| Wed, Sep 26 | Amherst | Truro | Rath Eastlink Community Centre | 7:00 PM |
| Wed, Sep 26 | Campbellton | Edmundston | Centre Jean Daigle | 7:30 PM |
| Thu, Sep 27 | Truro | Pictou County | Pictou County Wellness Centre | 7:00 PM |
| Thu, Sep 27 | Yarmouth | South Shore | Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre | 7:00 PM |
| Thu, Sep 27 | Miramichi | St. Stephen | Garcelon Civic Centre | 7:00 PM |
| Fri, Sep 28 | Valley | Yarmouth | Mariners Centre | 7:30 PM |
| Sat, Sep 29 | Edmundston | Summerside | Credit Union Place | 7:00 PM |
| Sat, Sep 29 | Campbellton | Amherst | Amherst Stadium | 7:00 PM |
| Sat, Sep 29 | Miramichi | Valley | Kings Mutual Century Centre | 7:00 PM |
| Sat, Sep 29 | Grand Falls | St. Stephen | Garcelon Civic Centre | 7:00 PM |
| Sat, Sep 29 | Truro | Yarmouth | Mariners Centre | 7:30 PM |
| Sun, Sep 30 | St. Stephen | Grand Falls | E. & P. Sénéchal Centre | 3:00 PM |
Statistically Speaking
Three Summerside Western Capitals lead the way in points after two weeks with TJ Shea (5 goals, 7 assists), Brodie MacArthur (2 goals, 9 assists), and Cam Roberts (5 goals, 4 assists). Cody Grant of South Shore and Pascal Valcourt of Campbellton each have four goals. Dylan Riley and Barrett Dachyshyn of Pictou County are 3rd and 4th in assists with 6 and 5 respectively.
Five players have two powerplay goals apiece, while six players have scored shorthanded. Gabriel Vanier of Edmundston and Valcourt each have two game winning goals. Rookie scoring is a close race this early in the season, but the Aces have five players in the top seven.
For goaltenders with more than one start, Tyler Caseley in Yarmouth has a 1.64 GAA and .932 save percentage. Joey May in St. Stephen has also been a standout with a 2.02 GAA and .926 save percentage.
James Faulkner
Director of Communications
Maritime Hockey League
jfaulkner@themhl.ca