02/15/2026
Trinity Energy Group Game Recap Feb 14th vs Antigonish
There comes a point in every season when a team faces some sort of adversity. Whether it’s a losing streak, injuries, or nights when you arrive at the rink with a fraction of your lineup and simply have to deal with the outcome. Those are the nights you look back on later and realize they became a turning point, a moment that built belief and momentum inside a hockey club. Saturday night in Antigonish felt like one of those moments for the Bearcats.
Truro travelled to Antigonish to face the Bulldogs with a lineup that remained uncertain right up until warm-up. Players were game-time decisions, bodies were missing, and roles were shifting. What the Bearcats lacked in numbers, they made up for in belief. The pregame message was simple: any team can win with a full roster. True character shows when you’re tested and how you respond. The Bearcats dressed just five natural forwards, eight defensemen, and AP call-up Cale McLellan, who joined the club to help fill out the bench.
Both teams came out hard, as physical play is always part of games against Antigonish. Justin Sumarah got the start for the Bulldogs, while Matt Welsh answered for the Bearcats. The same goaltending matchup for five of the six meetings between these teams this season, setting the stage for another tight, low-scoring contest.
The Bearcats needed time to adjust, with three natural defencemen playing forward on the night. With just under four minutes remaining, Cole Julian, who was relentless all night with his physicality, speed, and puck control, jumped off the bench, found a loose puck, and beat Sumarah from the circle to give Truro a huge 1-0 road lead. Mitchell Deruelle, playing his first game since November, picked up the primary assist. The former Moncton Wildcats forward brings a calming poise that’s a massive boost heading toward the playoffs. Both sides generated chances, but the goaltenders stood tall, sending the game to intermission 1-0 Bearcats.
The intensity continued in the middle frame. Early penalties to both teams created power-play opportunities, but again the goaltending duel held firm. AP Cale McLellan, called up from the Brookfield Elks (NSJHL), found himself alone in the slot and made a slick move before sliding the puck into an open net for his first NSSHL goal, extending the Bearcats lead to 2-0 midway through the game. Deruelle again factored in on the play, quickly re-establishing himself as a key contributor. Antigonish responded when Brad Kennedy buried one to cut the lead to 2-1. The score held through two periods despite quality chances at both ends, including Patrick Stewart ringing a shot off the post that nearly restored the two-goal cushion.
As expected, Antigonish pushed hard in the final frame. Morgan Lake tied the game 2-2 just under five minutes in, beating Welsh after a strong individual rush. Last week, late penalties hurt the Bearcats against the Bulldogs, but history didn’t repeat itself. Truro’s penalty kill was outstanding, shutting down all four Antigonish power plays in the period. The Bearcats thought they had the go-ahead goal when Cam Patton slid the puck through Sumarah’s legs, but interference was called on Shaun Neville and the goal was waved off. Welsh was called upon late and kept the game tied with a series of huge point-blank saves, including a spectacular left-pad stop that robbed the Bulldogs of the lead and ultimately sent the game to overtime knotted 2-2.
Overtime unfolded like a chess match, with both teams searching for the opening. Deruelle nearly ended it on a breakaway, but a strong backcheck from Nick Mahar disrupted the chance. Neither side solved the goaltenders, sending the game to a shootout. In the shootout, Bruce Gillis and Mitchell Deruelle scored for the Bearcats, while Matt Welsh shut the door to secure a 2-0 shootout decision and a 3-2 victory in what coaches and staff called a true “character win.”
Beyond the two points in the standings, this was the kind of night that can shape a season. With a shortened bench in a tough road environment, the Bearcats delivered a performance worthy of a huge salute from the Truro faithful. Every player dug deep, did the little things right, and believed shift after shift they would get the job done.
Matt Welsh finished with 39 saves to earn his league-leading 13th win of the season. Despite the loss, Sumarah was outstanding with 42 saves. The former teammates continue to bring out the best in each other every time they meet. These teams will meet once more in the regular season on February 22 at 7:30 pm at the Colchester Legion Stadium. The Bearcats now head to East Hants for a Family Day showdown with the first-place Penguins. Puck drop is 2 pm.
