AMHERST – Amherst Ramblers coach Jim Bottomley will have some tough decisions to make immediately after his Maritime Hockey League team steps off the ice after their game against the Pictou County Weeks Crushers Saturday night at Amherst Stadium.
“December 1, at 10 p.m. is when you have to cut down to 25 players, or cards,” said Bottomley. “And most teams will go in with 18 to 21 players and leave a few cards open.”
The Ramblers are running with 23 players right now, and Bottomley said they would whittle that down to 20 or 21 players before the deadline.
“Saturday’s game will be a type of playoff game that will provide a good indication to see who’s going to compete as the year goes on,” said Bottomley. “We want to see, getting close to the deadline, who is disciplined and plays within the system.”
The Ramblers beat the Metro Shipbuilders 7-2 on Tuesday and had their only practice of the week on Thursday.
“We want to be physical (against Pictou County),” said Bottomley. “We want to be the first on the puck, we want to get the puck deep, and get a lot of pucks towards the Crushers net.”
Saturday’s game starts at 7 p.m.
The Ramblers then face off againts the Timberwolves here in Amherst on Sunday.
That game starts at 4 p.m.
dmathieson@amherstdaily.com
