DOMINION, N.S. — When the Glace Bay Miners entered the 2022-23 season, the team’s overall goal was to make it to the provincial championship tournament again. 

The team had captured the Nova Scotia title last April as the No. 4 seed in the tournament, going undefeated at the Port Hood-hosted event. 

With only three returning players from the championship-winning team – Sam Murphy, Steven Mann and Brandon MacNeil – back for the season, head coach Daryl Babstock knew the team would have to put in the work in order to reach the tournament. 

“We have 10 kids who can come back next year if they don’t move on to the (Joneljim) Cougars program next season,” said Babstock. “We had a good year and finished well in the league, but this weekend will be important for everyone.” 

2023 NOVA SCOTIA UNDER-15 ‘AA’ PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP

•  Host: Glace Bay Minor Hockey Association
•  Location: Dominion and District Community Centre
•  Teams: Glace Bay Miners (host), Sydney Steelers, Northside Vikings, South Shore Lumberjacks, Cole Harbour Wings, TASA Ducks and Antigonish Bulldogs 

Glace Bay finished first overall in the four-team Cape Breton Hockey Federation league with a 19-4-5 record. The team claimed the Cape Breton Cup championship earlier this season. 

The Miners will enter the tournament as the No. 1 seed. They will be joined in the event by local representatives Sydney Steelers and Northside Vikings as well as the Antigonish Bulldogs, Cole Harbour Wings, South Shore Lumberjacks and TASA Ducks. 

Babstock anticipates the tournament being competitive.

“It’s going to be good hockey and it should draw some good crowds, especially with the local teams taking part,” said Babstock. “It’s going to be entertaining to watch. I think local fans will enjoy this level of hockey.”

When it comes to the tournament seeding, Babstock said he isn’t looking too much into it.

“Anybody can beat anybody in any given game in this tournament,” he said. “The seedings don’t always mean anything, you have to play the games and we know we still have to work and play hard in order to win.”

Thursday

• 12 p.m. Northside vs. Glace Bay
• 2 p.m. – Antigonish vs. Cole Harbour
• 4 p.m. – Sydney vs. South Shore
• 6 p.m. – TASA vs. Northside 

Friday

• 8 a.m. – Cole Harbour vs. Sydney
• 10 a.m. – South Shore vs. Northside
• 12 p.m. – Antigonish vs. TASA
• 2 p.m. – Glace Bay vs. Sydney
• 4 p.m. – Northside vs. Cole Harbour
• 6 p.m. – South Shore vs. Antigonish
• 8 p.m. – TASA vs. Glace Bay

Saturday

• 10 a.m. – Glace Bay vs. Antigonish
• 12 p.m. – Cole Harbour vs. South Shore
• 2 p.m. – Skills competition
• 4 p.m. – Sydney vs. TASA

Sunday

• 8:30 a.m. – First place vs. Fourth place
• 10:30 a.m. – Second place vs. Third place
• 2 p.m. – Championship
   

Glace Bay will open the tournament on Thursday when they take on Northside at 12 p.m. The team will continue the event on Friday at 2 p.m. against Sydney and 8 p.m. against TASA. 

The Miners will finish the round robin on Saturday at 10 a.m. against Antigonish. 

Babstock said the first game of the tournament will be important for his club. 

“Northside’s record doesn’t show what kind of team they are,” he said. “If they come to play they will give us a good game. We won’t take them lightly, that’s for sure, and I’ll be reminding our kids from the start that we have to jump on them.” 

The tournament semifinal will take place on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The championship game will be played at 2 p.m.