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New Covid Restrictions announced

Good evening everyone,

 

With COVID-19 case numbers on the rise in Nova Scotia, the province announced today that restrictions on physical distancing and gathering limits are returning over the next few weeks.

 

Starting at 9 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 17, and lasting until at least the new year, the following restrictions impacting hockey will be in place:

 

  • spectators are limited to 50 per cent of a facility’s capacity; spectator limits are also capped at a maximum of 150 people
  • a limit of 60 participants indoors and outdoors applies to sports practices, games, and regular league play; physical distancing is not required

 There are also new recommendations for close contacts of positive COVID-19 cases, including those who are fully-vaccinated. We detail those below.

 

REGULAR LEAGUE PLAY

 

We have clarified with Public Health that regular league play refers to the current league that your team is playing in. This includes provincial leagues.

 

MASKS

 

On the ice, masks are not required during practices, training sessions, and games. Off the ice, masks are required everywhere (especially in the dressing room).

 

It is extremely important that you continue to wear your mask when you are not on the ice.

 

Please note that coaches and instructors who work with more than one group must wear a mask at all times while inside the facility (including while on the ice).

 

CLOSE CONTACTS

 

As a result of the recent outbreak in Nova Scotia, all close contacts of positive COVID-19 cases, including those who are fully-vaccinated, now need to isolate until they have a negative result from a lab-based (PCR) test. The lab test should be performed at least 72 hours after the exposure.

 

In a hockey context, if two teams play a game within 48 hours of a positive exposure involving a player or coach on either team (meaning a player or coach on one of the teams tests positive for COVID-19 within 48 hours of the game), both teams (as well as the officials) would be considered close contacts. We recognize this is not spelled out clearly on the Public Health website but we have worked with Public Health to determine that this is what they mean.

 

Due to increased testing and rising positive cases, we are aware that Public Health may be delayed when it comes to reaching out to close contacts. We have seen examples of hockey associations and teams being proactive and abundantly cautious in terms of pausing activities after potential exposures. We commend these groups for prioritizing the safety of their members and wider communities.

 

For more information on what to do if you are a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case, please click here.

 

If you have any questions about any of this or about a potential exposure, we encourage you to continue to follow the communication flow in the Rebound Plan 2.0.

 

To help curb the spread of COVID-19, Public Health is also strongly recommending regular rapid testing for all Nova Scotians. Learn more here.

 

Dr. Strang will be meeting with the sport sector tomorrow. We will take part in those discussions and will pass along any updates that come out of that meeting.

 

For now, please continue to be vigilant. It is vital that we do not become complacent. Please continue to wear your mask in the dressing room and everywhere else in the arena when you are not on the ice. Wash your hands often. Do not come to the rink if you are feeling unwell. Follow the Rebound Plan 2.0.

 

Thank you for all that you do for hockey.

 

Sincerely,

 

Amy Walsh

Executive Director

Hockey Nova Scotia

 

Arnie Farrell

President

Hockey Nova Scotia

 

 

Garreth MacDonald

Communications & Special Events Director

Hockey Nova Scotia

 

259 Commodore Drive

Dartmouth, NS, B3B 0M1

902.454.9400

 

hockeynovascotia.ca

Dec 13, 2021
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Colts win 6th and 7th straight games

The Capstone Cole Harbour Colts continue to rumble and have not lose a game since back on Nov 19 to Membertou.  Since that time, the Colts have reeled off seven consecutive wins to improve to 10-5-0 and take over sole possession of second place in the Fred Fox Division of the Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League.  The Colts were at home for a pair of games over the weekend…first we will take a look at Saturday’s wild affair played at the CFB Shearwater Arena.

 
Capstone  7    Valley Maple Leafs   6      (overtime)
 
This game was wild from beginning to end as the Leafs started extra strong taking 4-0 and 5-1 leads before the Colts found their rhythm and come back with four consecutive goals to knot the game at 5-5 with 10:15 having been played in the third period.  The tying goal was scored by Cooper Puma who also had an assist in the game.  The Leafs then went ahead 6-5 with 7:48 to play in regulation as Andrew McCarron scored his 1st of the game to go along with a pair of assists.  The Leafs as hard as they tried could not hold onto their one-goal advantage giving up the game tying goal to Tyler Puma with 1 minute left in regulation to tie the game at 6-6 and send it into overtime.  2:47 was played in the five-minute sudden-death when Brady Crossley rifled his second goal of the game for the Colts to go along with a pair of assists to give the Colts a 7-6 win and a now impressive 10-5-0 record for 20 points and second place in the Fred Fox Division, only 3 back of first place Sackville.  The Colts have 3 games in hand on the Blazers.  The 9-6-0 East Hants Penguins are third with 18 points while the Liverpool Privateers have dropped back to fourth place at 7-5-3 for 17 points.  The loss for the Maple Leafs dropped them to 4-10-1 for 9 points and 8 full points behind the Privateerss for the final playoff spot in the Fox Division.  Other scoring Saturday night earlier in the game saw Ryan MacDonald, Hayden Richardson, Brett LeBlanc and Brady MacLean who also connected for three assists give the Leags their 4-0 lead with 4:52 to play in the opening frame.  Will MacRae  scored on the power-play for the Colts to make it 4-1 after twenty minutes.  Just 2:30 into the second period, Liam Ferguson tallied for the Leafs to make it 5-1 Valley before Tyler Puma with his first of the game, Samuel Beaton and Brady Crossley with his first of two made it 5-4 Leafs after forty minutes.  Cole Harbour after their rugged start were still drivng to the net the entire game as they outshot the Valley 81-34 with Leafs net minder Aidan Durnford played absolutely brilliant at times.  Patrick Oxner chipped in with 3 assists for the Colts who are now off until the New Year when they entertain the now 2-11-1 Brookfield Elks in a 7:30 start at CFB Shearwater.  The Valley Maple Leafs now are idle until after Christmas when they will hit the ice Friday Jan 7 at home against Cumberland and Saturday afternoon Jan 8 in Brookfield.   In the Colts Game Friday:
 
Capstone Cole Harbour Colts   5          Cumberland County   3
 
The Blues recorded win number 6 in a row Friday night at home against the Cumberland County Blues jumping in front of the Blues 2-0 after the first on goals from Patrick Oxner and Brady Crossley before the Blues Aiden Fisher and Nate Stone with goals 55 seconds part in the second period tied the game at 2-2.  The Colts then stormed back with 3 unanswered goals from Braden Cheney, Connor McNamara and one from Patrick Oxner with 52 seconds left in the middle frame to go up 5-2.  The Blues Zack Chatfield tallied the lone goal of the third period as the Blues fell to 4-11-1 with the Colts outshooting them 47-26.  The Blues have 2 games left in their pre-season schedule as they travel to Membertou Friday and Saturday Dec 16 and 17 and that will be it for the Blues until 2022 when they host the Port Hawkesbury Strait Pirates in a Sunday afternoon game Jan 2. 
Dec 12, 2021
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Jr. League expressing caution

Thursday, 38 new Covid-cases were reported in Antigonish, bringing to 59 the total number related to recent the St. FX outbreak. With the Nova Scotia Government expecting more cases in the coming days, Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League Officials have decided to be extra cautious and postpone some upcoming games prior to their Christmas Break.  The AA Munro Antigonish Jr. Bulldogs and Pictou County Scotians have decided to put their scheduled games off until the new year.  This means the Liverpool-Antigonish game scheduled for Antigonish Friday night and the Jr. Bulldogs-Pictou scheduled for Trenton Sunday night will not be played at the present time.  As well, the Scotians will not be making their trip to East Hants Friday night.

The Eskasoni Jr. Eagles have also postponed their weekend trip to Western Nova Scotia and games between the Maple Leafs and Privateers in the Valley and Liverpool have also been put off to the new year.  Brookfield and Sackville have also postponed their game Saturday afternoon in Brookfield.
 
The Capstone Cole Harbour Colts will play in the only two scheduled games in the league this weekend as they will host the Cumberland County Blues Friday evening at the Shearwater Arena at 7:30 and the Valley Maple Leafs Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.
Dec 9, 2021
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Noble-Aucoin, Players of the Month

                                                Noble-Aucoin chosen players of the Month in NSJHL
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Degen Noble of the Sackville Blazers and Connor Aucoin from the Pictou County Scotians were named Hockey Nova Scotia November players of the month today.  Both players had exceptional months of hockey for their clubs.
 
Aucoin player of the month for the Sid Rowe Division scored ten times and collected five assists to pace the Scotians to their 5-2-0 record in November.  Aucoin collected 4 points in a 6-0 win over Cumberland, scored the game winning goal in another win over Cumberland while scoring the shoot-out winner in a 4-3 win over the Membertou Jr. Miners.  He also collected three goals in a 6-4 loss to the Jr. Miners on Nov 13 while also scoring a goal and adding two assists in a 3-2 shoot-out win over the 16-0-1 Antigonish AA Munro Jr. Bulldogs on Nov 21.  Aucoin on the season has 13 goals and 13 assists for 26 points in 12 games for the now 7-5-0 Scotians. 
 
                The Blazers Noble saw plenty of ice-time and seemingly effective almost every shift despite the Blazers 4–4-0 November.  He recorded eight goals and two assists in the eight games the Blazers played in November that included a triplet of two-goal games in 4-3 wins over the Liverpool Privateers and Valley Maple Leafs and in a 4-3 loss to the Privateers.
 
Both players will receive Hockey Nova Scotia Athletic Wear at an upcoming game presentation.
Dec 9, 2021
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Blazers snap 3 game losing streak

The Sackville Blazers snapped their three-game losing streak at home Monday evening while handing the Port Hawkesbury Canadian Tire Strait Pirates their 6th loss in their past 7 games as they shut-out the Pirates 5-0 and outshot the Strait 51-42.  The win for the Blazers was their 11th of the season and provides them once again with a 5 point margin atop first place in the Fred Fox Division over East Hants, although the Penguins do hold three games in hand over the Blazers.  Bryson Uberoi recorded the shut-out for Sackville in stopping all 42 shots he faced.  Luc Arsenault scored twice for the Blazers while Degen Noble, Zephrin Hachey and Daniel Surrette on the power-play added single markers for the Blazers.  Trey Faulkner recorded three assists for the winners.  The teams split their 21-22 regular season series as the Strait Pirates defeated the Blazers 6-2 back in early October.  Port Hawkesbury is now 7-6-1 for 15 points and in third place in the Sid Rowe Division, one back of the Jr. Miners and one ahead of the Pictou County Scotians.

Dec 8, 2021
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Jr. Bulldogs now 16-0-1, Pens win 9th of season

The AA Munro Antigonish Jr. Bulldogs keep on rolling with no let up in sight following their 16th win of the season Sunday night at home over the Port Hawkesbury Canadian Tire Strait Pirates by a score of 4-0.  Cody MacEachern continued his stellar goaltending blocking all 20 shots fired at him by the Pirates.  MacEachern now has a 12-0-1 record this season stopping 337 of 374 shots for a .901 save percentage.  Ethan Twolan and Darren Waterman put the Bulldogs up 2-0 after one period.  The teams went scoreless in the second before Waterman scored his second of the game as well as Sam Mattie in the third period to make the final 4-0.  This gave the Jr. Bulldogs a weekend sweep of their home and home series with the Strait Pirates having defeated them 7-1 in Port Hawkesbury Friday evening.  A total of 110 minutes in penalties were called in the game with 102 of them in the third period which proved to be a rugged affair with 2 majors, 2 match penalties and 6 misconducts handed out.  The Jr. Bulldogs have now opened up a 17 point lead over the Membertou Jr. Miners for first place in the Sid Rowe Division and will be back in action Friday night at home at the arena in Antigonish when they host the 7-5-3 Liverpool Privateers, a team the Jr. Bulldogs defeated in Liverpool back on Nov 11 by a count of 5-3.  Elsewhere on Sunday……

 
East Hants  5    Pictou County  2
 
The Penguins and Scotians played their first game in a home and home series in Trenton Sunday night with the Pens winning 5-2.  They now go to Lantz for the second game of this home and home Friday Dec 10th.  The win for the now 9-6-0 Penguins moved them to within 3 points of the first place Sackville Blazers in the Fred Fox Division.  Evan McHenry who scored twice and added an assist put the Penguins out in front 1-0 early in the first period.  Hayden Burgess tied it for the Scotians before Sean Freeman scored the first of his two goals on the evening to give the Pens a 2-1 lead after twenty minutes.  A mere 6 seconds into the second period, Matt Carson tied it for the Scotians at 2-2 but with 6:47 left in the middle period, McHenry on the power-play scored the game winner for East Hants and gave them a 3-2 lead after two periods.  Freeman added his second of the game in the third and Bruen Fisher put one into an empty net with 5 seconds left in the third.  Gavin McCready picked up 3 assists for the Pens who outshot Pictou 48-37.
 
Eskasoni Jr. Eagles   8      Brookfield Elks   5
 
The Elks were coming into the Dan K. Stevens Memorial Arena in Eskasoni Sunday afternoon on a high after their 7-3 upset win over the Membertou Jr. Miners Saturday night.  The Elks were attempting to record their third win of the season and they played hard against the Jr. Eagles trailing 6-5 with 5:45 to play in the third but a pair of goals from Thomas Simon and Nicholas Pastuck with his second of the game in the final 2:06 gave Eskasoni an 8-5 win despite being outshot by the Elks 52-43.  Brookfield’s Noah Latimer with his first of two in the game opened the game’s scoring 56 seconds after the opening face-off before Pastuck scored his first to leave the teams tied at 1-1 after twenty minutes.  Adam Willison with his first of two and MacKenzie Erickson scored a minute apart before the second period was two minutes old to give the Jr. Eagles a 3-1 lead but the Elks Latimer and Calem McAndrew tied the game at 3-3 before Willison put the Jr. Eagles in front 4-3 going into the third period.  MacKenzie Erickson with his second of the game made it 5-3 Jr. Eagles before Connor Miller with his first of two for the Elks brought Brookfield back to within a goal.  It stayed 5-4 for only 53 seconds when MacQueen Kendall scored the game winner for Eskasoni.  Miller’s 2nd goal for the Elks brought them back to within 6-5 but they could not come up with the equalizer prior to the late goals by Simon and Pastuck.  Jaden Martin chipped in with three assists for the Jr. Eagles.  This concluded the two game regular season series between the two clubs as Eskasoni defeated the Elks in early November in Brookfield 5-4.
Dec 8, 2021
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