SYDNEY — The Cape Breton Tradesmen skated to a win and a tie on the final day of the Nova Scotia EastLink Major Midget Hockey League’s early bird tournament on Sunday at Centre 200.
The Tradesmen picked up a 4-2 win over the Pictou County Weeks in the final game of the nine-team event. Michael Cremo led the way with a goal and an assist, while Tristan Nordine, Mitchell Johnston and Cameron Yates added singles.
Evan MacLennan and Jared Livingstone replied for Pictou.
In goal, Matt O’Rielly made 19 saves in the win. Tyler Howe stopped 34 stops in the loss.
Earlier in the day, the Tradesmen and South Shore Mustangs battled to a 3-3 draw.
Logan O’Neil lit the lamp for two Cape Breton goals. Hunter Bettens added a single. Mitch Baker, Travis Parks and Ryan O’Toole struck for the Mustangs.
Cody Smith started the game for Cape Breton and made 11 saves. Liam MacDonald entered midway through the second and turned away seven shots.
Nick Dawe deflected even pucks in the South Shore goal.
On Saturday, the Cape Breton West Islanders wrapped up tournament play with a 4-2 triumph over the Valley Wildcats.
Alex Bonaparte led the Islanders’ attack with two goals. Shawn Gould and Andrew Boyle chipped in singles.
Colin MacQuarrie and Zack Forsythe hit the back of the net for the Wildcats. No goaltending information was recorded.
The Tradesmen finished the tournament with a 2-1-1 record, while the Islanders finished with a 1-3-0 mark. The top team was the Halifax McDonald’s, who won all four games they played.
The NSMMHL regular-season schedule opens this weekend. The Tradesmen meet the Newbridge Academy Gladiators for two games at Centre 200, while the Islanders play host to the Wildcats at the Al MacInnis Sports Centre in Port Hood.