SYDNEY — Something will have to give when the Cape Breton Tradesmen host the Cape Breton West Islanders in Nova Scotia EastLink Major Midget Hockey League play.

The two teams will look to snap losing streaks Wednesday at Centre 200. The puck drops at 7 p.m. in the first regular-season meeting between the cross-island rivals. The contest will also be broadcast live on EastLink TV.

Cape Breton dropped a pair of games against the Cole Harbour Wolfpack the Sept. 27-28 weekend on home ice. The Tradesmen are last in the eight-team league with a 1-4-1-0 record, but can get out of the basement with a win on Wednesday.

“The big thing right now is we have most of our kids adjusting to different roles,” said Tradesmen head coach Aaron Rice. “We have players returning that are experiencing what it means to get a role of more responsibility and higher expectations. We have new players who are new to the league and are adjusting to other factors, like new philosophies, new teammates and older, stronger players.

“Once we adjust and adapt, we’ll be fine.”

Rookie Logan O’Neil, a product of the Cougars major bantam program, leads the Tradesmen in points with six in as many games. He’s scored once and added five helpers. Sean Smith follows with two goals and three assists.

“If you look at our stats as a team, you see a number of players who have three, four, five, six points,” said Rice. “I think we’re going to have to manufacture our offence. I don’t think we’ll be able to lean on one guy and I don’t think one guy has the ability to lead this team.

“I think on any given night, we’re going to have different heroes. We knew that coming into it, and I think it’s a good way to have it. It keeps everyone honest and keeps everyone accountable.”

The Islanders are in seventh place with a 2-4-0-0 record and have dropped their past four games.

A first-year player has also been the leading scorer for Cape Breton West. Avery Warner has 11 points in six games, scoring four times and adding seven helpers. That also puts him tied for third overall in the league

Declan Smith, a Saint John Sea Dogs draft pick, is also off to a strong start with five goals and five assists.

“It’s fair to say last year Cape Breton West had our number and we’re looking to respond to that,” said Rice. “We can only focus on ourselves right now and make sure we come out and play the way we can. Is there added incentive? Absolutely. But we have to be mindful of how we play the game.”

Following Wednesday’s game, the Cape Breton clubs return to action on the weekend.

The Tradesmen hit the road for games against the Newbridge Academy Gladiators on Saturday and the Halifax McDonald’s on Sunday. The Islanders will host the South Shore Mustangs on Saturday and Sunday at the Al MacInnis Sports Centre in Port Hood.