Bearcats open Fred Page Cup against hosts

TRURO – The Truro Bearcats have a few days to savour their dramatic victory in the Maritime Junior Hockey League’s championship series, then it’s back to the grind.

The Fred Page Cup opens Wednesday in Terrebonne, Que., where the Cobras will serve as host but also as reigning LHJQ champion. The Cobras defeated Longueuil College Francais in their championship, so as runner-up, Longueuil also has a berth in Fred Page Cup competition. The fourth team to punch their ticket to the Fred Page was Carleton Place Canadians, perennial powerhouse of the Central Canada loop.

The Bearcats defeated the Miramichi Timberwolves on Friday night 4-3, for the only road win of a grueling best-of-seven series that went the distance. Truro opens round-robin play at the Fred Page tournament against the host Cobras on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. (Atlantic time). Thursday they go up against Longueuil at 5 p.m. and Friday they take on the Canadians at 5 p.m. Saturday’s semifinal will have the third place team from the round robin facing the second place team at 4 p.m. for the right to take on the top team from the round robin at 4 p.m. Sunday for the championship. The team emerging as the Fred Page Cup winner will move on to the RBC Cup, taking place in Coburg, Ont., May 13–21.

All games of the Fred Page Cup will be available live and online via hockeytv.com.

Schedule

WEDNESDAY

5 p.m. – Carleton Place vs. Longueuil College

8:30 p.m. – Bearcats vs. Terrebonne THURSDAY

5 p.m. – Longueuil College vs. Bearcats

8:30 p.m. – Terrebonne vs. Carleton Place

FRIDAY

5 p.m. – Carleton Place vs. Bearcats

8:30 p.m. – Longueuil College vs. Terrebonne SATURDAY

4 p.m. – Semifinal: Third vs. Second

SUNDAY

4 p.m. – Final: Semifinal winner vs. First