Spencer Cameron and the Antigonish Junior Bulldogs will battle Cumberland this weekend in a home-and-home series, with the squads hitting the ice at the Antigonish Arena Sunday at 7:30 p.m. (Gail MacDougall photo)

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Five different scorers hit the scoreboard Friday night as the Antigonish Junior Bulldogs defeated the Pictou Scotians 5-2 in Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League action at Antigonish Arena.
“We played reasonably well, although it wasn’t our best game,” co-coach Bill Garvie said.
“We didn’t put as much into it as we could have. I didn’t think we rose to the level we’re capable of but at least we kept control of the game and emotions when they tried to get us involved in things other than hockey.”
Garvie said at no point did he feel the Dogs were in trouble, noting he had confidence the team would leave with a victory.
“Our skill level is pretty high in comparison to Pictou,” he commented.
The Scotians hit the scoresheet first with Nicholas Hodgson the goal scorer at 9:59 of the opening frame.
The Dogs tied the game with 1:41 left in the period with Fraser White supplying a powerplay marker from Justin Chiasson and Stewart MacDougall.
David McCarthy, from White and Steven MacGillivray, accounted for the lone goal in the middle frame at 11:15.
Will Bursey scored for the Dogs at 12:23 of the final frame on a setup by White and Chiasson increased the Antigonish margin to 4-2 with his goal at 16:34 from Spencer Cameron.
Pictou’s Brad Daley scored with 3:19 left in regulation time but the Dogs salted away the victory with a last minute marker from defenseman Colby VanOirschot. Chiasson and Tim MacDougall picked up the assists on the play.
Kyle Williamson turned aside 17 shots to record the victory, while Ben Goss and Alexander LeFave combined to thwart 39 Antigonish scoring attempts.
“Kyle had some nice saves in the first period when Pictou played some pretty good hockey,” Garvie said.
The Dogs journeyed to Glace Bay Saturday evening, losing a 4-2 decision to the Glace Bay Miners.
The teams traded goals in the opening frame with Alex MacDonald putting the host team on the scoreboard and the Dogs responding at 8:47 with a marker from MacGillivray. Assists went to McCarthy and Chiasson.
“We played a decent road game in the first period,” Garvie commented.
“The guys worked hard.”
The Miners outscored the Dogs 3-1 in the middle frame with Ricky Chisholm the Bulldog goal scorer and Seamus Boyle providing the assist.
Glace Bay goals came off the sticks of Colin MacKinnon with unassisted, shorthanded and even-strength markers.
“We didn’t get a break in the second,” the Bulldog coach mentioned.
“The shots were about even. We had some quality chances but couldn’t bury them.”
Derrick Tait faced 45 shots in the Bulldog net, while Glace Bay netminder Scott MacDonald was tested 36 times.
“Derrick played well, particularly during a stretch when we were down two men. We didn’t give up a goal. We gave up a couple of goals with bad turnovers and they capitalized.”
The Dogs face a busy week, opening Wednesday with a home game against the division-leading Port Hawkesbury Strait Pirates. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
“The Pirates are playing good hockey and we had a good game with them last time out,” Garvie said.
“We were pleased with the play of our players and I’m expecting the same this time. No doubt the Pirates will want to get that one back, so they will be ready to play. Our intentions are to carry on with a good effort. Every game is very important and for us to take top spot in the division we have to win all of our remaining games and the Pirates have to lose one. This will be a big one.”
Friday night Antigonish is on the road to take on Cumberland and will host the same squad Sunday night at Antigonish Arena.
“It’s been a long time since we played Cumberland,” Garvie said.
“I don’t really know what to expect although I know there are stronger than the last time we played them and so are we. We have five games left in the regular season and three of them are against Cumberland. We’re going to get to know them very well, almost like a playoff series.”