NEW GLASGOW, N.S. – The Amherst CIBC Wood Gundy Ramblers scored late in the second period and three times in the third period en route to a 6-3 win over the Pictou County Weeks Crushers in Maritime Junior Hockey League on Thursday night.
Stephen Fox had two goals, including a goal with 1:43 to play in the second period, to give the Ramblers a lead they’d never relinquish while Nick Snow and Matt Green each had a goal and an assist.
“It was a prototypical road win. We played three good periods, we didn’t overwhelm anyone, but we put together three good periods and that’s what you need to do to win on the road,” Ramblers coach and GM Jeff LeBlanc said following the game. “We got timely goals and we were very good on special teams killing penalties. Anytime you can win in Pictou it’s good, it’s a hard building to win in.”
Jaden Mason gave the Crushers an early lead just 3:48 into the opening period before Green scored his second goal of the season at 7:45. Aidan McFarland and Aleck Forcier traded second period goals before Fox gave the Ramblers a 3-2 lead at the 18:17 mark.
Will Lafford, Fox with his second of the night and Nick Snow rounded out scoring for the Ramblers. Mason rounded out scoring at 16:21 of the third.
Cole Waugh picked up a pair of assists and Thomas Ashe, Alex Wynter and Jacob Myra also added assists for the Ramblers.
Amherst’s next action is Saturday when they host the South Shore Lumberjacks at the stadium in a rematch of last year’s divisional semifinal, won in seven games by the Lumberjacks.
“It should be a good game. We’ve developed a bit of a rivalry with South Shore and it will be a good test for us,” LeBlanc said. “We start the season with four games against division rivals and this will be the third game. Hopefully we can continue to play the way we played the first two and maintain our momentum.”
LeBlanc said one of the keys right now is the team is getting scoring from each of its four lines and strong special teams play.
The Ramblers, who also play in Truro on Wednesday night, are going to be without defenceman Matt Sartoris for several weeks after he was injured in the home opener last Saturday night. He could be out six to eight weeks. LeBlanc said Alex Wynter has stepped up his play in Sartoris’ absence.
LeBlanc said goalie Matt Williams was also strong in goal on Thursday night.
Twitter: @ADNdarrell
