AMHERST-The Amherst CIBC Wood Gundy Ramblers won their second game in as many nights following a solid 6 to 4 victory over the visiting Dieppe Commandos.
“We’ve had to play to two tough games against two very good hockey teams,” stated Ramblers’ assistant coach Tim Ripley following the game. “Tingley played exceptionally well tonight, just as Marchand did last night (against Campbellton),” he added. “We’ve had a great weekend, coming away with four points-two on the road and two at home.”
The Ramblers defeated the Campbellton Tigers last evening by a score of 5 to 3.
The Ramblers, who lost their first three games of the 2013-2014 season, have turned their fortunes around in recent weeks, rolling off four straight wins and five of their last six.
“We’ve started to play a more defensive style of hockey,” stated Ripley. “We’re cutting down on goals against, shots on goals and penalties. We lacked discipline early on (in the season), but now, slowly starting to move up in the standings,” he noted.
In addition to playing a more disciplined, defensive brand of hockey, Ripley credits improved cardiovascular conditioning and total team effort as keys to their success.
“Our cardio conditioning is coming along great,” stated Ripley. “We’re able to maintain our pace for 60 minutes,” he added. “Last night and tonight were both great team efforts.”
Thirteen of Amherst’s nineteen dressed skaters had at least one point. Leading the way were Cam McDonald, Nick Cass and Shawn Wright, each of whom had a goal and an assist apiece. Zack McEwen, Brett Shute and Daniel Walsh all had goals while Jamie Bishop, Robert ‘Bob’ Davis, Ryan Caswell, Brock Morrison, Willie MacDonald, Serge Boisvert and Martin Ross rounded out the scoring with one assist apiece for the winners.
With the victory, Amherst (5-4) moved above .500 for the first time this season. The Ramblers not lost a game since September 21 when they fell 5 to 3 to the Bearcats in Truro.
Attendance for Saturday’s game was 520. The Ramblers travel to Kentville on Friday, October 18 to play the Valley Jr. A Wildcats. They will host the Weeks Crushers next Saturday, October 19.
For a complete recap of tonight’s tilt between Dieppe and Amherst, or, to catch up on the latest news around the league, please visit http://themhl.ca/ or http://amherstramblers.com/.
