Midget ’Cats open season with split on the road

The Valley Wildcats are looking to put a disappointing 2007/ 2008 season in the Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League behind them.

So far, the news is positive.

The Wildcats opened on the road in Cape Breton, never an easy place for a visiting team, and escaped with a split with the Cape Breton Tradesmen, 4-1 Saturday and 4-3 Sunday.

Saturday, David Abraham had two goals and Mitchell Deruelle and Corson Roach one each for the Tradesmen, who trailed 1-0 after one period and led 2-1 after two. Steve Wakeham opened the scoring for the Wildcats at 9:42 of the first period on assists from Harris and Marshall Lane.

Sunday, Colby Harris’s power play goal at 5:37 of the third period put Valley ahead 3-2. Steve Woodworth made it 4-2 at 15:02, which allowed the Wildcats to withstand a late goal by Cape Breton’s Devon Muir. Wesley Booth and rookie Kayleb Lazaric had the other Valley goals.

The Wildcats return home to play the Halifax McDonalds in their home opener at 8 p.m. Saturday in Kentville, then travel to New Glasgow to play the Weeks midgets at 1 p.m. Sept. 21. Valley returns home to face Canadian Tire Mustangs Sept 23 at 8 p.m.