SPRINGHILL – The Cumberland County Blues travel to Port Hawkesbury tonight where they play the Strait Pirates in Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League action.
“Port Hawkesbury will be tough,” said Blues coach Dave Hyatt. “They’re first in our division and they play on a big ice surface and a fast ice surface, so if you’re not ready to skate you’re not going to have much success. Hopefully the boys will go into it with an energetic attitude.”
Making matters more difficult is the fact the Blues missed their Wednesday night practice because of the snowstorm.
“I’m sure there will be a little bit of rust coming out of the gate,” said Hyatt.
Tonight’s game is one of seven games left in the regular season for a team that has earned the fourth playoff spot and will likely face off against either the Pirates or the Antigonish Bulldogs in the first round of the playoffs.
“We’re getting ready for the playoffs, and holding Pictou to two goals in our last game was big for us because we’re always looking to get our defencive game in order,” said Hyatt. “Our top three defencemen, Matt Noiles, Tyler Gould and Connor Marsh have really stepped up their play.
"Also, we’ve put a line together with Josh Coleman, Devon Muir and Cody Taker and I thought the game in Pictou was their strongest game,” added Hyatt. “It takes some pressure off the Jordie Shaw, Zach Carson and Geoff Burke line.”
The SCB line is one, two, and three in the league’s point standings.
“That line has had an unbelievable season offensively and defencively,” said Hyatt. “So if you can keep that line producing and we start getting our other lines involved offensively, well have some good things going.”
Goaltender Charles Dubuc will get the start in goal.
“He’s playing really solid for us,” said Hyatt.
The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.
dmathieson@amherstdaily.com
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