SPRINGHILL – The Cumberland County Blues may have taken an early lead in their home game against the Strait Pirates Friday night, scoring the first goal of the game, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.
“I’m pleased with how (the team) played. I really, really am,” said head coach Rob McLure. “Being a young team, we didn’t have enough horse power to knock someone out. We had an opportunity in the second, with all those power plays. If we had some out of that with a couple of goals, which was the plan, we would have had more luck.”
The Blues’ Jesse Colburne, assisted by Zach Anderson and Tyler Gould, scored the team’s first goal and the first goal of the game. The Pirates evened out the scoreboard, scoring their first goal four minutes into the second period, scored by Andrew Bowles with Jarrett Martell and John Janiec both earning assists.
The Blues took back their lead as Serge Boisvert scored the team’s second goal, set up by Mike McLure and Nicholas Doucet. But the Pirates evened up the score with the second goal, scored by Brennan Delaney.
As the clock wore down, the Blues received a four minute penalty for high sticking, giving the Pirates a power play advantage over the younger team. The visiting team scored a third goal and sealed the Blues’ fate.
“Cox was outstanding in net,” said McLure. “All we needed was to knock them out at the right time.”
Serge Boisvert said the team was confident going into the game, especially after coming off a two-game winning streak, but couldn’t seem to push ahead far enough to gain the win.
“The bounces and stuff weren’t on our side today,” he said. “We didn’t capitalize on our chances, the power play, everything. The other team worked hard and kind of out worked us. I thought it was going to be a good game today.”
Boisvert said the Blues are younger than a lot of the teams they are playing against and although they may not be bringing in a lot of wins right now, the future is bright for his team.
“Next year, the Blues are going to be really strong. You better watch out.
The Blues travel to Glace Bay for Saturday and Sunday for a pair of 7:30 p.m. games against the Glace Bay Miners. The Blues host the Miners next Friday night at 7:30 p.m. and host the Antigonish Bulldogs next Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.
jturner@amherstdaily.com
