The Pictou County Weeks Crushers are off to the Metalfab MHL Cup Final after sweeping the Truro Bearcats in four games and capturing the Eastlink South Division title on home ice. This is the first time the Crushers have advanced to the league final since 2015-16 when they beat the Dieppe Commandos, now the Edmundston Blizzard, in six games.
The two teams were well-rested ahead of their Game 1 matchup in Truro. The Crushers had been off twelve days after defeating Summerside in the first round, while Truro had been off for a week after eliminating Amherst. The lone goal came midway through the 2nd period as Drew Maddigan found the back of the net for the Crushers, who skated away with a 1-0 win and the series lead. Thomas Fontaine posted a 25-save shutout in the win, while Jack Milner made 32 saves for Truro.
Game 2 was back in New Glasgow and the Crushers jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the 2nd period on two goals from Carter Murchison, one of which was on the powerplay. Owen Sparkes got one back for Truro at 7:39 of the 3rd period, but Murchison completed the hat trick at 10:47. Liam Welsh scored for Truro at 17:50 to cut the deficit to 3-2, but that’s as close as the Bearcats would get as Pictou County picked up a 3-2 win and a 2-0 series lead. Fontaine made 31 saves for the Crushers, while Milner had 30 for Truro.
The Crushers continued to roll in Game 3, posting a 4-0 win and 3-0 series lead. The road team took the lead at 11:59 of the 1st period as former Bearcat Lucas Canning put the Crushers on the board. Pictou County doubled their lead at 9:07 of the 2nd period on a goal from Kiefer Avery. Logan O’Neil and Clint MacLaughlin scored one minute apart early in the 3rd period to seal the victory. Fontaine made 26 saves for his second shutout of the series while Milner made 26 saves in the loss.
Game 4 was back in New Glasgow and it took until the later stages of the 2nd period to find the game’s first goal as Canning put the home side up 1-0 at 13:55. The Bearcats tied things up at 12:55 as Kevin Walker scored for Truro. Just minutes later, at 16:09, Canning found the game-winner to give the Crushers a 2-1 victory as the 4-seed in the Eastlink South captured the division title. Fontaine had 38 saves in the win, while Milner made 24 in the loss for Truro.
The schedule for the Metalfab MHL Cup Final will be announced when available. Stay tuned to the MHL’s website and social media for information as it becomes available.