There are four weeks left in the MHL regular season and a lot left to be decided. Campbellton (23-13-3-2) clinched a spot in the Canadian Tire Cup Playoffs last week, meaning the four teams who will battle for the Eastlink North are set. The seeding, however, remains up for grabs, especially the 3-4 seeds as the Tigers and Fredericton Red Wings (24-16-3-0) are currently tied with 51 points, 12 points back of the Blizzard (28-9-1-6). In the South, a slump by the Crushers (20-18-2-0) and surge by the Bearcats (19-15-3-4) have tightened up the race. Amherst (23-18-1-0) have just a one-point lead on third-place South Shore (21-18-3-1), a two-point lead on Truro, and are five up on Pictou County.
Summerside (35-6-0-2) had just one game last week, picking up a 7-3 win over Miramichi (11-27-3-1). Brodie MacArthur registered three points in that game, which moved him into sole possession of second place on the MHL’s all-time scoring list. He trails former Halifax Lions/DQ Blizzard star Duane Saulnier by seven points entering the week. With three games this weekend, MacArthur could very well have the record in his name. Their first game is on Thursday as they start a home and home series with Campbellton. The Tigers have won four in a row, picking up two wins over Grand Falls (13-25-2-3) and another over Fredericton last week. They actually started their current streak with a 3-2 home win over Summerside on January 31st.
There are three other games on the night. Staying in the North, we have another potential playoff matchup as the Edmundston Blizzard travel to Fredericton. The Blizzard split a Nova Scotia road trip, beating Pictou County 4-2 before dropping a 3-0 decision in Truro. That last game snapped a streak of six straight games for Edmundston scoring exactly four goals. The Red Wings played just one game last week, the loss to Campbellton, while a second game against the Tigers was stormed out. Shifting to the Eastlink South, South Shore is on the road against Amherst, with second place in the division on the line. After dropping a 6-3 decision to Truro on Wednesday, the Ramblers bounced back with a 4-3 overtime win against Valley (10-29-3-0). The Lumberjacks edged Yarmouth (26-12-2-2) by a score of 3-2 in a shootout in their only game of the week. South Shore won the first two meetings this season, but Amherst has come out on top in the last four games. Finally, the Rapids have a quick swing through Nova Scotia, starting in New Glasgow. The teams have yet to play this season, with the return date in Grand Falls on March 1st. The Rapids are coming off the back to back losses to Campbellton, while the Crushers need to rebound and snap a four-game losing streak after dropping games to Edmundston and Truro last week.
There are three games on tap for Friday. We’ll start in Truro, where the Bearcats have a four-game win streak of their own and host Grand Falls. The Rapids scored three goals in the final 3:04 of the 3rd period on November 24th to stun the Bearcats 5-3 in their only meeting so far. Yarmouth is back on home ice for the weekend as they start with a game against Valley. It’s been another tough season in Berwick, but the Wildcats can again play spoiler in the South with two games each against Yarmouth, Pictou County, and Truro, as well as one more tilt against Amherst. The third game of the day is the back half of the home and home between the Western Capitals and Tigers, this time in Campbellton.
Saturday’s lineup features the six teams from the South going head to head. Valley visits South Shore, with the Lumberjacks hoping to follow up a 5-2 win over the Wildcats in their last meeting. Not only is this the MHL Free Game of the Week on HockeyTV, but it will also be broadcast on Eastlink Community TV. Join Kevin Northup, the voice of the Valley Wildcats Matt Little, and Mavs Gillis for all of the action live on Channels 10 and 610. Pictou County travels to Yarmouth on Saturday, looking to avenge a 6-2 loss to the Mariners two weeks ago. Amherst visits Truro in the final meeting of the regular season between the long-time rivals. Finally, Fredericton heads to Miramichi. The Red Wings picked up wins of 8-2 and 5-1 in Miramichi on January 25th and February 1st, respectively.
There are two games on Sunday. The Bearcats play their third game in three days as they travel to Summerside. This game was originally scheduled for Monday, but was bumped back by a day. Elsewhere, Grand Falls heads up the Trans Canada Highway to face Edmundston.
Then we come to Monday, where Family Day sets up a trio of afternoon games. Miramichi makes their lone trip to Amherst, Valley visits Pictou County, and Fredericton faces Campbellton.
All games can be viewed on HockeyTV.
Date | Visitor | Home | Venue | Time |
Thu, Feb 13 | Campbellton | Summerside | Credit Union Place | 7:00 pm AST |
Thu, Feb 13 | Edmundston | Fredericton | Grant Harvey Centre | 7:00 pm AST |
Thu, Feb 13 | South Shore | Amherst | Amherst Stadium | 7:00 pm AST |
Thu, Feb 13 | Grand Falls | Pictou County | Pictou County Wellness Centre | 7:00 pm AST |
Fri, Feb 14 | Summerside | Campbellton | Campbellton Memorial Civic Centre | 7:00 pm AST |
Fri, Feb 14 | Grand Falls | Truro | Rath Eastlink Community Centre | 7:00 pm AST |
Fri, Feb 14 | Valley | Yarmouth | Mariners Centre | 7:30 pm AST |
Sat, Feb 15 | Fredericton | Miramichi | Miramichi Civic Centre | 7:00 pm AST |
Sat, Feb 15 | Amherst | Truro | Rath Eastlink Community Centre | 7:00 pm AST |
Sat, Feb 15 | Valley | South Shore | Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre | 7:00 pm AST |
Sat, Feb 15 | Pictou County | Yarmouth | Mariners Centre | 7:30 pm AST |
Sun, Feb 16 | Grand Falls | Edmundston | Centre Jean Daigle | 3:00 pm AST |
Sun, Feb 16 | Truro | Summerside | Credit Union Place | 7:00 pm AST |
Mon, Feb 17 | Miramichi | Amherst | Amherst Stadium | 2:00 pm AST |
Mon, Feb 17 | Valley | Pictou County | Pictou County Wellness Centre | 2:00 pm AST |
Mon, Feb 17 | Fredericton | Campbellton | Campbellton Memorial Civic Centre | 3:00 pm AST |