The Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL) season is preparing to head into December with a busy week ahead.
Two teams remain on big undefeated streaks. The Western Capitals (20-3-0-0) have won twelve straight games but dropped three spots in the CJHL’s weekly Top 20 rankings to 12th in the nation. Summerside has had a home-heavy schedule in November and the team has made the most of it with a perfect 12-0-0-0 record at Credit Union Place. The Western Capitals seemingly always have a high-powered offence, but they’re leaps and bounds over the rest of the MHL so far this season. They have 117 goals on the year, with only three other teams who have even cracked 80. Summerside’s +53 goal differential is more than three times better than the next highest; +17 owned by Edmundston (14-6-1-1).
Pictou County (12-7-1-0) are 6-0-1-0 in their last seven games as they climb the Eastlink South Division standings. The Crushers have been involved in a number of close games, with six of eight games in November decided by two goals or less, but they’ve found a way to win more often than not of late.
The action kicks off on Wednesday with an Eastlink North Division matchup as Miramichi (6-12-3-1) hits the road to play Campbellton (10-9-2-0). The Tigers are coming off an overtime loss to Edmundston and a regulation loss to Summerside, while the Timberwolves beat Valley (6-17-1-0) by a 7-5 margin in their lone game last week. The season series between Campbellton and Miramichi is tied 1-1, with each game being decided by one goal. Both teams are playing three games in four days this week.
There are two games on Thursday. Miramichi stays on the road, this time travelling to face the Crushers in New Glasgow. Pictou County beat the Timberwolves 5-3 on November 9th. Elsewhere, Grand Falls (8-11-2-1) visit Summerside. The Rapids are coming off a win over Truro (7-10-1-4) on Sunday after losing 7-4 in Summerside last Thursday.
On Friday, the Bearcats return home for a big divisional tilt with Amherst (11-10-1-0). This is the first game between the division rivals in Truro this season. The Ramblers have a win in regulation, overtime, and a shootout over Truro, who are 5-2-1-0 in November. Campbellton begins a swing through New Brunswick with a game in Valley. The teams will lock horns in Campbellton again next weekend. Fredericton (11-8-1-0) swept a trip to southwestern Nova Scotia last week, with wins over South Shore (15-7-1-1) and Yarmouth (13-8-2-1) and now travel to play Edmundston. The Blizzard played two overtime games last week, beating Campbellton but then losing to Truro. Finally, the Lumberjacks and Mariners face off at Mariners Centre. Yarmouth picked up a 5-2 win over South Shore way back in September, and the two teams will play twice more before the Christmas Break.
Five games are scheduled for Saturday. The MHL Game of the Week, free to watch on HockeyTV, features the Grand Falls Rapids visiting the Miramichi Timberwolves. The teams split their first two meetings, which were both decided in overtime, and Miramichi picked up a 3-2 home win back on November 16th. Fredericton continue their weekend road trip as they travel to Summerside. The Western Capitals have taken both meetings this season, and they’ll play again in Fredericton next weekend as well. Campbellton wrap up their week with a trip to Amherst, while Valley looks to pick up their first win of the season against Yarmouth at Mariners Centre. Finally, the Truro Bearcats are home to the South Shore Lumberjacks in a game that will be special for two reasons. First, the game will be carried live on Eastlink Community TV, channels 10 and 610. Join Kevin Northup, Paul MacDonald, and Mavs Gillis for the broadcast. Second, it’s Teddy bear Toss Night for the Bearcats, with the stuffed animals being donated to the local Christmas Index Program.
The week wraps up with a rare Monday game as the Amherst Ramblers head over Mount Thom to face the division-rival Pictou County Weeks Crushers. A late comeback from Amherst sent last week’s matchup in New Glasgow to overtime, where the Ramblers prevailed 6-5.
All games are available to watch on HockeyTV.
| Date | Visitor | Home | Venue | Time |
| Wed, Nov 27 | Miramichi | Campbellton | Campbellton Memorial Civic Centre | 7:00 pm AST |
| Thu, Nov 28 | Grand Falls | Summerside | Credit Union Place | 7:00 pm AST |
| Thu, Nov 28 | Miramichi | Pictou County | Pictou County Wellness Centre | 7:00 pm AST |
| Fri, Nov 29 | Amherst | Truro | Rath Eastlink Community Centre | 7:00 pm AST |
| Fri, Nov 29 | Campbellton | Valley | Kings Mutual Century Centre | 7:00 pm AST |
| Fri, Nov 29 | Fredericton | Edmundston | Centre Jean Daigle | 7:30 pm AST |
| Fri, Nov 29 | South Shore | Yarmouth | Mariners Centre | 7:30 pm AST |
| Sat, Nov 30 | Grand Falls | Miramichi | Miramichi Civic Centre | 7:00 pm AST |
| Sat, Nov 30 | Fredericton | Summerside | Credit Union Place | 7:00 pm AST |
| Sat, Nov 30 | Campbellton | Amherst | Amherst Stadium | 7:00 pm AST |
| Sat, Nov 30 | South Shore | Truro | Rath Eastlink Community Centre | 7:00 pm AST |
| Sat, Nov 30 | Valley | Yarmouth | Mariners Centre | 7:30 pm AST |
| Mon, Dec 2 | Amherst | Pictou County | Pictou County Wellness Centre | 7:00 pm AST |