SPRINGHILL – With only five games left in the regular season, the Cumberland County Blues are in a heated battle with the Antigonish Bulldogs for the final playoff spot in the Sid Rowe Division.
Tonight they host the Glace Bay Miners at 7:30 p.m., and then on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. the Bulldogs will be in Springhill. The Bulldogs and Blues are tied in the standings with 19 points each.
The Blues lost two games to the Miners last weekend in Glace Bay, but Blues coach Rob McLure says the Blues hope for better results tonight.
“Possibly it will be their turn to be tired out from the long bus trip on Friday,” said McLure. “We want to take it one shift at a time, and our team will have to play a full 60 minutes of hockey.”
The Blues will be missing the services of forward Michael McLure’s tonight because he is presently serving the second game of a two game suspension.
The game between the Bulldogs could decide which of the two teams makes the playoffs.
“If everyone plays hard and gives it their all Sunday we know we can win this contest,’ said McLure. “The season is on the line as both teams are tied with 19 points and Sunday's winner will definitely have the upper hand down the stretch.”
The Team that works the hardest will win, and discipline will play a big factor. We definitely
“Knowing the Bulldogs will be prepared to work hard every shift, we definitely need to come out flying,” added McLure. “We are going to try to shut their top scoring line down.”
After this weekend the Blues travel to Brookfield Tuesday night, and then to Pictou Sunday night.
The Blues play their last regular season at home on Feb. 15, against the expansion Valley Maple Leafs, who are in third place in the hotly contested Fred Fox Division with 35 points.
