The Breakers are winners of three straight games, including victories over the defending champion St. John’s Green Sleeves Caps and league-leading Harbour Grace Ocean Enterprises CeeBee Stars last weekend. They are also the AESHL’s best away team with a 4-1 record on the road.
The Eagles also won both their games last weekend, knocking off the Hickman Chrysler Bell Island Blues in a home-and-home series.
“The key for our team (is to) not let our guard down and be game-prepared to play (Northeast)” said Breakers head coach/general manager Scott Gordon who professes much respect for the Eagles’ organization.
“Not only for what they are today, but for me — and I am sure others would agree — (because) that team embodies what the AESHL is about.
“A lot of the guys are from the area where the league has its birthright; just a great hockey culture. Kudos to Joe Maynard and everyone in the organization’s past and present.”
The Breakers have used 25 skaters and three goalies this season, but not among those 28 players is veteran Ray Dalton.
The left-winger opted not to return to the Central West Senior Hockey League’s Gander Flyers this fall following a 22-point campaign last season, choosing to re-join
the Breakers for the first time since 2009-10.
Unfortunately, his schedule hasn’t allowed for a return to the ice yet this season and it likely won’t happen this weekend, which also sees the Breakers taking on the Caps 7 p.m. Sunday at the Southern Shore Arena in Mobile.
“I will be honest. The entire organization, from our leader Kenny Williams right down the line, would love to see Dalton in a Breakers uniform,” said Gordon. “I can tell you … the guys ask me every other day ‘Is Ray going to play?’
“They have so much respect for him and want him in our lineup.”
In other games this weekend, the CeeBees and Blues play a home-and-home set with games 8:15 p.m. tonight at the Conception Bay South Arena in Kelligrews and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Danny Cleary Community Centre in Harbour Grace.
On Monday at Goulds Sports Arena, the Caps will take on the Eagles in an 8:30 p.m. matchup.
