Strait Pirates open 2025-26 season with win and a loss
Pressing for a goal in the second period, Strait Pirates forward Ben MacDonald, of Port Hood, crashes the Eskasoni net while Carlin Samson, of Louisdale, searches for the puck in the crease during Friday’s season-opener in Port Hawkesbury.
September 17, 2025
-by Bill Dunphy
Icing one of the most locally-sourced teams in recent memory, the Strait Pirates opened the 2025-26 Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League season with a win and a loss on the weekend.
Coming off a 5-2 loss to the Eskasoni Eagles in their home-opener on Friday, the Pirates gave new head coach Stan MacNeil his first win the next day in Membertou, defeating the Junior Miners 5-4.
“Last year’s team started 0-and-6 so it was good to get that first win under our belt,” said MacNeil.
“We kind of killed ourselves on Friday, we didn’t match Eskasoni’s energy in the second period and gave up the puck too many times.”
