COXHEATH, N.S. — 

A day after its basketball squad finished second in the New Waterford Coal Bowl, the Northumberland Nighthawks hockey team captured the 42th Annual Red Cup Showcase at the Cape Breton County Recreation Centre in Coxheath.

While the Sunday afternoon championship match was missing the host Riverview Redmen, and its legion of red and white clad, high school-aged fans, the crowd of about 300 was treated to an exciting finale as the Westville-based Nighthawks scored a pair of third period goals to defeat the Glace Bay Panthers 3-2.

The game was close and included many end-to-end rushes by both teams. The contest almost went to overtime after the puck ended up in the Northumberland net as a result of a goalmouth scramble with just seconds remaining in regulation time. However, the joy was short-lived as the referee waved the goal off immediately, explaining to frustrated Glace Bay players that the whistle had already been blown.

 

Members of the Northumberland Nighthawks celebrate their Red Cup Showcase championship while a dejected Glace Bay Panthers player skates away after the referee blew the final whistle in the Westville team's 3-2 victory in the finale on Sunday afternoon at the County Arena. DAVID JALA/CAPE BRETON POST

The Nighthawks, who lost 2-1 to the Redmen in the preliminary round, punched their ticket to the championship game with a 7-2 win over Riverview in the first of Sunday morning’s two semifinals. Glace Bay advanced after defeating Antigonish’s Dr. J.H. Gillis Royals 3-1 in the other match.

Seven teams, including Sydney Academy Wildcats, Memorial Marauders and Dalbrae Dragons of Mabou took part in the annual competition that was won by the host Redmen in 2019.

sports@cbpost.com