The Eastlink South dropped to fourth place in Group A at the Eastern Canada Cup in Trenton, ON after a close 4-3 loss to the NOJHL East.
The MHL squad fell behind 2-0 late in the 1st period as the NOJHL team scored twice in 49 seconds; at 16:52 and 17:41, respectively. However, a goal from Yarmouth’s Nathan Carter at 19:18, with an assist from teammate Kyle McGuire, brought the South to within one at the end of the period. Shots were 11-11 in the 1st.
The NOJHL went up 3-1 with a goal at 2:41 and then 4-1 with a powerplay goal at 13:45. The South team continued to battle, however, bringing it back to a 4-2 game with a goal from the Mariners’ Jerome Gilbert at 17:52. Valley’s Brendan MacRitchie scored a shorthanded goal (with assists to Summerside’s Robbie Rutledge and Pictou County’s Logan O’Neil) at 19:43, but the game would finish 4-3 in favour of the NOJHL. Truro’s Yacine Chemrouk got the start in goal, making 16 saves.
The South team is now 1-2 at the tournament and must win their final game on Wednesday to have any chance at finishing in the top two in order to advance to the semifinal later in the day. The game against the QJHL St. Louis team is scheduled for 1:20 p.m. Atlantic.