As the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL) schedule rolls into the Thanksgiving long weekend, teams atop the Eastlink North and South are beginning to create some separation. Edmundston and South Shore sit ranked 9th and 10th respectively in the CJHL with identical 7-1-0-0 records. Yarmouth (5-2-2-0) trail the Lumberjacks by two points, and then the South Division drops off a bit. In the North, Summerside (6-2-0-0) and Fredericton (5-2-0-0) are close behind the Blizzard. With five days of MHL action on tap this week, and big matchups all around, the standings are sure to see some major upheaval.
The action kicks off Thursday with eight of the league’s twelve teams in action. Summerside host a South opponent for the second game in a row as South Shore rolls into town. The Western Capitals split their games last week with a 5-1 loss to Grand Falls (2-4-1-0) but a 2-1 win over Pictou County (3-3-0-0). This game will be carried live on Eastlink Community TV, channels 10 and 610. Join Kevin Northup, Mike Smith, and Matt Beardsley for the broadcast. Meanwhile, the Crushers host the Bearcats (1-4-0-3), looking to avenge a 5-3 home loss to Truro last month. For Truro, this is the second week in a row they play three games in three days. Edmundston make their first trip to Fredericton in a big North showdown, while Valley (1-6-0-0) hosts Yarmouth.
Four more games are on tap Friday. Grand Falls make a quick swing through Nova Scotia, with their first opponent being the Wildcats. This is the MHL Game of the Week, and free to watch on HockeyTV. Elsewhere, the Campbellton Tigers (3-1-1-0) finally hold their home opener as Fredericton make the trip to northern New Brunswick. The Tigers are coming off a 4-3 win in Miramichi (1-6-1-0) last week. Truro play just their second home game of the season as they welcome the Lumberjacks. Truro have three shootout losses in their last four games, including a 4-3 decision in Bridgewater against the Lumberjacks last week. Finally, the schedule wraps up in Yarmouth as the Amherst Ramblers (3-4-0-0) make their first trip of the season to Mariners Centre for the start of three games in four days for the Ramblers.
All but two teams hit the ice on Saturday. The Tigers and Timberwolves have a rematch in Miramichi, while Summerside look to even the season series with Edmundston as they host the Blizzard. The Western Capitals dropped a 5-2 decision at Centre Jean Daigle last month. The Rapids make a stop in Amherst for their second of three games in three days. South Shore visit Pictou County, after the Lumberjacks picked up a 3-2 win in September, and Truro make their third of four trips to Yarmouth. The Mariners beat Truro on back to back weekends to open the season.
Grand Falls are back home on Sunday evening to take on Fredericton. Then on the holiday Monday, Summerside make the trek to Campbellton in a rematch of last season’s Eastlink North Division Final, while Valley heads to Amherst to face the Ramblers.
All games are available to watch on HockeyTV.
| Date | Visitor | Home | Venue | Time |
| Thu, Oct 10 | South Shore | Summerside | Credit Union Place | 7:00 pm AT |
| Thu, Oct 10 | Edmundston | Fredericton | Grant Harvey Centre | 7:00 pm AT |
| Thu, Oct 10 | Yarmouth | Valley | Kings Mutual Century Centre | 7:00 pm AT |
| Thu, Oct 10 | Truro | Pictou County | Pictou County Wellness Centre | 7:00 pm AT |
| Fri, Oct 11 | Fredericton | Campbellton | Campbellton Memorial Civic Centre | 7:00 pm AT |
| Fri, Oct 11 | South Shore | Truro | Rath Eastlink Community Centre | 7:00 pm AT |
| Fri, Oct 11 | Grand Falls | Valley | Kings Mutual Century Centre | 7:00 pm AT |
| Fri, Oct 11 | Amherst | Yarmouth | Mariners Centre | 7:30 pm AT |
| Sat, Oct 12 | Campbellton | Miramichi | Miramichi Civic Centre | 7:00 pm AT |
| Sat, Oct 12 | Edmundston | Summerside | Credit Union Place | 7:00 pm AT |
| Sat, Oct 12 | Grand Falls | Amherst | Amherst Stadium | 7:00 pm AT |
| Sat, Oct 12 | South Shore | Pictou County | Pictou County Wellness Centre | 7:00 pm AT |
| Sat, Oct 12 | Truro | Yarmouth | Mariners Centre | 7:30 pm AT |
| Sun, Oct 13 | Fredericton | Grand Falls | E. & P. Sénéchal Centre | 6:00 pm AT |
| Mon, Oct 14 | Valley | Amherst | Amherst Stadium | 2:00 pm AT |
| Mon, Oct 14 | Summerside | Campbellton | Campbellton Memorial Civic Centre | 7:00 pm AT |