This weekend, the two remaining unbeaten teams in the Nova Scotia Major Bantam Hockey league squared off against each other in a battle for 1st place and bragging rights for early season supremacy. “The Dartmouth Whalers are a very good hockey team,” head coach Kyle MacDonald offered. “We have been working hard trying to focus on those little things that can mean the difference between a win and a loss, especially when you are playing such a complete team! It’s coming together, the coaching staff can feel it, and this weekend will be a great test.” On Saturday at the Dartmouth Sportsplex, a blistering-paced first period didn’t result in a single puck getting past either netminder and the game remained scoreless until early in the second when Malcolm MacEachern combined with Logan Timmons to put the Novas in front. The Whalers replied with two quick goals but the Novas roared back on the power play with Jacob Hudson potting the tying goal, also assisted by Logan Timmons. The Whalers inched ahead for good early in the third despite the relentless Novas’ attack late in the game. Colton Ellis took the loss in Saturday’s contest. On Sunday morning, again in the inhospitable confines of the Sportsplex, the Novas showed why they are a team to be reckoned with this season, weathering a massive first period onslaught by the Whalers, eventually coming out on the right side of a 4-3 score. Logan Timmons paced the attack with a hat trick; Ryan MacLellan notched the other goal for the Novas on the power play and chipped in with an assist. Malcolm Maceachern added a pair of helpers, and Sean Stewart and Logan Chisholm each had an assist to round out the scoring. Colton Ellis also handled the goaltending chores for Sunday’s game. “It was a wild weekend for the guys - coming into the weekend, we knew that we had to be real sharp, and getting the split in the opposition’s barn is huge,” said Coach MacDonald. “We found out why this team is near the top of the league. They play hard in all areas of the ice, and they are fast and skilled. The boys played them tough all weekend and a couple of bounces may have enabled us to come out with four points. It was a great effort and we know we are going to need efforts like that each end every weekend if we want to be near the top of this league” The Novas are back in the friendly confines of their home rinks this weekend, taking on the Scotsburn Crushers on Saturday October 4, at 5:00 PM at the Antigonish Arena, and on Sunday, they square off against the Breton Cougars at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre at 11:00 AM.
GrayJay Sports
The Novas 
