Top spot showdown set up for October 16, 17

As the 2021-22 hockey season entered October this past weekend, the seven teams that make up the MMFHL were finishing up their first month of the regular season.  There was certainly a lot to celebrate, as games were able to go off without interruption from COVID-19, althought there continue to be protocols in place to protect the players, officials, coaches, and fans.

The 2021-22 season has brought about a few changes to the MMFHL, including the removal of the Station Six Fire, and the insertion of a new franchise in the Metro Halifax area to replace them, the Halifax Western Capitals.   This season also saw the league return to a 7-team circuit, after the Northern Lightning in New Brunswick were not able to make a go of it.  Another change, as with every season in every hockey league, is the changeover of rosters, as players are aging out, and a new crop of talent enters the fray.

Through the first month, however, there are a few things that do look familiar.  The Northern Subway Selects are once again off to a strong start, going 7-1 through their first 8 games, and outscoring their opponents 31-5 (which works out to 3.88-0.63 per game).  However, their winning percentage is not as strong as the team currently sitting in second place, with two games in hand.  The EDZA West Reds are 5-0-1 after 6 games.  They are scoring at a clip of 3.5 goals per game (2nd to the Selects), and giving up 0.67 goals per game (also second to the Selects).

As the teams all prepare to take Thanksgiving Weekend off from league play, the Reds and Selects have the following weekend circled on their calendars.  The Reds will be making their way to Hector Arena in Pictou to face the Selects on October 16 and 17.  For the Selects, this is not only a showdown against the team that looks to be the biggest challenge as they look to repeat as league regular season champions, but it is also their first home games in their new permanent home in the Town of Pictou.  In past seasons, and earlier this season before the ice was ready in the Hector, the Selects played their home games in the Pictou County Wellness Centre on the outskirts of New Glasgow.  But now, the Selects will move to Pictou, where they will have their own permanent dressing room, something they could not have at the Wellness Centre.  

Will that extra level of comfort of home make a difference for the Selects?  Fans who can't make it to Pictou will still have a chance to find out, as the games will be streamed through http://3sixty.live.

Check back in regularly to our website here, as we will have more previews, recaps, and stats all season long.  Thursday we will look at the newest franchise, the Western Capitals, as well as the Fundy Nationals ahead of their meeting on the 16th and 17th.