AMHERST – The Cumberland County Scotiabank Ramblers are hosting the 2018 Nova Scotia Bantam AA Championship Tournament with the goal of finally getting to the top.
Twice before members of the team have made it to a provincial final, only to fall short – once in atom AA in 2014 and again just two years ago in peewee AA.
The Ramblers, who open the tournament on Thursday at 4 p.m.against the Chebucto Atlantics, host the Yarmouth Mariners Friday at 8 a.m. before playing the Acadia Axemen at 2 p.m. that tafternoon.
Head coach Forrest Gallagher said his players have worked hard to prepare for a chance at a provincial banner.
“When I asked the players at the first of the season what they wanted out of the season they told me they wanted an opportunity to play for a provincial championship,” Gallagher said. “They have worked hard all year to put themselves in that position. This group has gotten the silver medal in both their atom and peewee years and they feel like they have something to prove this year.”
Cumberland County returns to action Saturday at 4 p.m. against the Cape Breton County Islanders with the semifinals at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. and the provincial final at 2 p.m.
Also competing are the Bedford Blues and Cape Breton West.
The opening ceremonies were on Thursday night with the skills competition set for Saturday at 2 p.m.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to play in their home rink and I hope to see lot of people out to support them,” Gallagher said. “This wouldn’t be possible without all the help from volunteers and local businesses that supported us. Win or lose I’m very proud of this group and am very excited to see what they are going to do this weekend.”
The tournament has also been assisted by the Town of Amherst’s free ice-time project.
Following is the tournament schedule:
Thursday April 5:
12 p.m. C.B. West (Visitor) @ Acadia (Home)
2 p.m. Bedford (Visitor) @ Yarmouth (Home)
4 p.m. Cumberland County (Visitor) @ Chebucto (Home)
5:45 p.m. Opening Ceremonies
6 p.m. C.B. County (Visitor) @ C.B. West (Home)
Friday April 6:
8 a.m. Yarmouth (Visitor) @ Cumberland County (Home)
10 a.m. Chebucto (Visitor) @ C.B. West (Home)
12 p.m. Bedford (Visitor) @ C.B. County (Home)
2 p.m. Acadia (Visitor) @ Cumberland County (Home)
4 p.m. C.B. West (Visitor) @ Yarmouth (Home)
6 p.m. Chebucto (Visitor) @ Bedford (Home)
8 p.m.C.B County (Visitor) @ Acadia (Home)
Saturday April 7:
10 a.m. Acadia (Visitor) @ Bedford (Home)
12 p.m. Yarmouth (Visitor) @ Chebucto (Home)
2 p.m. Skills Competition
4 p.m. Cumberland County (Visitor) @ C.B. County (Home)
Sunday April 8:
8:30 a.m. Seed 4 (Visitor) @ Seed 1 (Home)
10:30 a.m. Seed 3 (visitor) @ Seed 2 (Home)
2 p.m. Championship Game
