SYDNEY, N.S. — When Cape Breton’s under-13 ‘AAA’ hockey teams began the season in the fall, the goal was to win a provincial championship for their association.

After a 28-game regular season, which saw cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic in December and January, that focus remains, and they will take the next step towards a title this weekend.

The Glace Bay Miners, Cape Breton County Islanders and Cape Breton West Islanders will kick off their Nova Scotia Under-13 ‘AAA’ Hockey League playoffs.

Each series will be a best-of-three with the winners advancing directly to the league’s provincial championship, scheduled for later this month in Liverpool.

GLACE BAY (4) VS. ANTIGONISH (11)

The Miners enter the playoffs as the highest Cape Breton seed after finishing the regular season in fourth place with a 15-5-5 record – impressive considering the team only had four veteran players on the roster.

Glace Bay head coach Robbie Sinclair said the players bought in to the program and learned what it took for the group to be successful.

“The kids need to come ready to compete and give their best effort for the team,” said Sinclair, who during his career played professional in the AHL and ECHL.

“Wins are hard to come by in this league so to be successful, especially in the playoffs, we will need all of the players ready to compete and do whatever they are asked for the betterment of the team.”

Although the league didn’t keep individual statistics, Sinclair said his club is led offensively by Jaxon MacNamara, Lucas Chauder, Kingston Laporte and Tucker Sinclair. On the back end, the club has Jax Ginnish, Burke Aucoin, and Deakin MacPhee, who have created offence from the blueline.