There are now only two days remaining in the 2021-22 Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League Season. At this point, we know based on winning percentage that 3 of 4 teams have clinched a bye into the divisional semi-finals with a fourth to be determined over the next two days. The three teams who have clinched are the 12-5-0 Capstone Colts from C.F.B. Shearwater, the 13-7-1 Sackville Blazers and the 20-0-1 Antigonish Jr. Bulldogs who were all in action Saturday night. First off in Sackville, the Capstone Colts won their 9th consecutive game 4-1 over the Blazers and it was enough to allow them to clinch first place in the Fred Fox Division based on winning percentage. The Colts concluded the regular season with a 12-5-0 record while the Blazers take their 13-7-1 record into Monday night’s game at home against Brookfield. Unfortunately the loss to the Colts prevents the Blazers from climbing out of second place based on winning percentage. The Colts will finish the regular season having played 17 games while the Blazers game against Brookfield will be their 22nd game of the season and if they win, they will finish with a 14-7-1 record.
In action Saturday in Sackville, the Colts jumped in front 2-1 after the first period while adding two more goals in the final period to win it 4-1. Tyler Puma scored his 14th and 15th goals of the season for the Colts with Puma’s second goal coming short-handed with 14:19 remaining in the third . Stephen Warwick and Brayden Hooper-Richard with his 9th if the season were the other goal scorers for the Colts. Noah Healy tallied the lone Blazers goal. The Coltstook the regular season series 3-1 over the Blazers while outscoring Sackville 13-9 in the four games.Elsewhere Saturday:
Antigonish Jr. Bulldogs 4 Cumberland County 1
The Jr. Bulldogs will complete their regular season at home against this same Blues team Sunday evening in Antigonish beginning at 7:30 but they are now 20-0-1 following their 4-1 victory in Springhill Saturday evening. Jake MacDonald scored his 7th of the season to go along with 26 assists for 33 points while Will Fitzsimmons, Logan Tramble,and Connnor Doherty added the other Bulldog goals who held period leads of 1-0 and 3-0 while outshooting the 5-13-1 Blues 35-24.Antigonish is guaranteed a first place finish in the Sid Rowe Divsion.
Pictou 4 Eskasoni Jr. Eagles 3
This game was close all the way before the Scotians finally won their 9th game of the season. They held period leads of 2-1 and 3-2 with Hayden Burgess scoring his 5th goal of the season and Matt Chediac netting his 6th of the season. Other Scotian goal scorers were Thomas Kennaley and Luke Young. Jacob Denny and Dante Basque and Kinnon Williams on the power-play scoring for the Jr. Eagles,. who fell to 6-13-0 while being outshot by the Scotians 45-34.
Liverpool 7 Brookfield 1
The Privateers finished the season at 10-5-3 following their 7-1 win over the 2-14-1 Elks. Liverpool took 3-1 and 7-1 period leads. Daniel Kline netted his 14th and 15th goals of the season while Dylan Patterson also scored a pair. Other Privateer goal scorers were Mattt Ormon, Joe Osborne and Josh Nicholson added singles. The lone Elks goal was scored by Ben Fraser. The Privateers outshot the Elks 48-29.
GrayJay Sports