Coal Miners Loss is Not the Whole Story

The Springhill Coal Miners had the biggest test of their maiden season in the Beausejour Senior Hockey League tonight as they faced the undefeated Elsipogtog Hawks.

The Miners matched the Hawks goal for goal but ran out of coal mid-way through the third period, allowing the Hawks a 10-6 win.

It could be a character maker for Springhill as netminder Steve Brown turned away more than enough shots for two games—71 to 35.

The Hawks opened the scoring at 5:11 of the first period on a power play. The Miners answered fourteen seconds later with their own power play marker from Jesse Colborne, assisted by Jordie Shaw Robert Davis.

The Hawks finished the period up 2-1.

Springhill evened the scoring just over a minute into the second with a classy goal from Rene George and Adam Chipman.

The teams exchanged deuces and singles—Rene George with a pair, and Jon Tettrie from Mats Stone—to close the frame at five apiece.

The clubs exchanged goals again, early in the third—Nate Stone from Adam Chipman for the home side. But, it was all Hawks from the half-way mark when the coal bin went dry.

The game offered a lot for fans, as it did not present as a 10-6 loss. Again, Brown stopped 71 shots, a surprising feat for early in the season. Rene George put on a show with the hat trick—his second in as many games to lead the league in scoring—and for two and a half periods the Coal Miners were step for step and hit for hit with the Hawks.

The home side needs to work on conditioning to ensure legs for the final ten minutes. 

The crowd had lots to cheer about as they began to realise senior hockey offers speed with big hits designed to slow them down. While no league condones fighting, that too is a component of senior hockey and it proved again that people come to their feet for a scrap. In that department, Springhill won two heavyweight bouts.

There is no rest for the Miners who are due to hit the ice tomorrow evening in Buctouche.

Add your comments below.