The Nova Major Bantams participated in the Nova Scotia Major Bantam Provincial Championship Tournament this past weekend at the Keith Miller Arena in East Hants.  “We have had a lot of discussions with the boys about what to expect in provincials the past two weeks, “ commented head coach Kyle MacDonald.  “We have seen these teams many times in the past year - they are all great hockey teams, and we know what each and every one of them bring to the table.  If we play our best hockey throughout the tournament, I know we can be successful!” The Novas started out slowly, however, in Game One on Thursday, losing 3-0 to the surging JonelJim Cougars.  In Game Two on Friday morning, the Novas again struggled out of the gate again against the Newbridge Senators and held a slim 2-1 lead in the third on goals by Ryan MacLellan (assist - Jacob Stewart) and Logan Chisholm (unassisted), until Chase Ellis (assists - Logan Timmons and Ryan MacLellan) and Jacob Stewart (unassisted) potted empty net goals en route to a 4-1 triumph.  In Game 3 against the Pro Hockey Life Harbour Storm on Friday afternoon, the Novas trailed 1-0 going into the third period before exploding for four goals to take the game 4-1.  Scoring for the Novas in the third period of the game were Malcolm MacEachern (assist - Chase Ellis), Stephen Fox (assist - Logan Timmons), Calum MacPherson (assists - Fearghus MacDonald and Ryan MacLellan), and Darren Waterman (unassisted).  “I really thought we turned a corner in the third period of this game,” said coach MacDonald. “We started to play hard in all three zones, and limited the chances on our goaltending. Colton Ellis stood tall for us in the first couple of games, and we didn't support him as well as we should have.”
Game 4 took place on Saturday morning with the Novas shutting out the Bedford Barons 5-0.  Chase Ellis led the way for the Novas with a hat trick; Fearghus MacDonald had a three point effort (1 goal and 2 assists).  Malcolm MacEachern and Darren Waterman each chipped in two assists; Stephen Fox potted a goal and Lucas Fabijancic and Jacob Hudson rounded out the scoring with an assist each.  Colton Ellis and Kolby Baker shared the goaltending duties in the shutout.  The win put the Novas, the Bedford Barons and the Dartmouth Whalers at 3-1 and gave the Novas a re-match with the Barons in the semi-final game on Saturday evening.  

In the nail-biting semi-final, the Barons seemed ready to avenge the morning defeat taking a quick 2-0 lead on the Novas until team captain Calum MacPherson (assist - Fearghus MacDonald) and Jacob Hudson (assist - Logan Chisholm) knotted the game at two. The teams remained deadlocked at 2 until Jacob Hudson potted his second of the game (assists - Fearghus MacDonald and Ryan MacLellan) and put the Novas ahead early in the second.  The remainder of the game saw great action at both ends with timely saves by Nova’s tender Colton Ellis to preserve the 3-2 lead and give the Novas spot in the final against the Dartmouth Whalers.