AMHERST, N.S. - Six games, nine days and three wins and just one loss so far – despite a rash of injuries that’s depleted the defensive corps of the Amherst CIBC Wood Gundy Ramblers.
As much as everyone loves perfection, Ramblers coach and GM Jeff LeBlanc is thrilled with his team’s play, despite dropping a 5-2 decision to the Miramichi Timberwolves in the final game of the MHL Showcase in New Glasgow on Tuesday.
The Ramblers play the fifth and sixth games of that stretch beginning Friday night when they travel to Bridgewater to face the Lumberjacks before coming home to Amherst on Saturday to face the Valley Wildcats.
“We’re happy where we are right now as a hockey team, winning five of our last six games,” LeBlanc said. “These are two important games this weekend. We consider them four-point games against two division rivals.”
On Tuesday, the Ramblers took a couple of costly penalties in the final period of the game and the Timberwolves took advantage of a five-on-three scoring once and adding an empty net goal later.
“We know we can’t win every game this season. It was a letdown, but we’ve put it behind us and are moving on,” LeBlanc said. “We played four games in five nights. It was 3-2 late in the game and we were coming on and we took some penalties and it cost us the game. I wasn’t really disappointed with the effort.”
The Ramblers continue to face injury challenges. While forward Stephen Fox is expected to return to the lineup in Bridgewater, Cole Darrach is out while defencemen Thomas Ashe, Linden Namagoose and Matt Sartoris are still out.
LeBlanc said Hunter McIntyre will continue to play defence while Nick Yuill, who has looked impressive since being called up from Rothesay Netherwood, is expected to play again Friday.
“He’s a good defenceman and he moves the puck well,” LeBlanc said. “He’s also not scared to throw the body.”
NOTES: 2019 Fred Page Cup tournament passes are on sale. Season ticket holders can buy tournament passes for $69 each – including all round robin sales, playoffs and the championship game.
Twitter: @ADNdarrell