LOWER SACKVILLE – After a 0-3 start to the 2012-2013 Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League season, the Cumberland County Blues beat the Sackville Blazers by a score 4-3 last night in Lower Sackville.
Head coach Rob McLure said he was proud of the way the Blues played.
“This is the type of effort they need to compete every night,” said McLure.
He also pointed to the play of Blues goalie Jessie Cox, who faced 40 shots on the night.
“He kept us in the game when we ran into penalty trouble in the third period,” said McLure.
The Blues had 12 penalties in the game, seven of which came in the third period. The Blazers had four penalties in the game.
The Blues opened the scoring at 2:52 into the game when Blues captain Liam Carr scored off assists from Michael McLure and Jesse Colborne.
The period ended with the game tied 1-1
The Blues scored the only goal in the second period. Aaron Crocker scored an unassisted goal with 2:53 left in the frame giving the Blues a 2-1 lead.
The Blazers went up 3-2 late in the third period but Blues player Dylan Bursey answered the challenge by blasting a slap shot over the shoulder of Blazers goaltender Alex Reynolds, tying the game 3-3 with 2:52 left in the game. Colborne and Larry Varga assisted on the goal.
Geoff Burke scored the game winner with 1:47 left in the game off passes from Paul Culliver and McLure.
Shots-on-goal was 40-27 in favour of the Blazers.
Zach Black missed the to take exams at Mount Allison University.
“The Blues organization is big on education and school work is a priority,” said McLure.
The Blues play a home-and-home stand when they host the St. Margarets Bay Ducks Friday at 730 p.m., and then travel to St Margarets for a game on Saturday.
dmathieson@amherstdaily.com
