Remembering the victory
Capitals took fans on a thrilling ride to 1997 national championship
Joe MacIntyre looks back 20 years.
Many would agree that the Summerside Western Capitals’ 1997 Royal Bank Cup win was the proudest moment in Summerside sports history.
The accomplishment was so improbable, and the Caps became the first team east of Ontario to ever win Canada’s top junior A hockey prize.
The fact the ‘97 team had so many local players made winning it all very special. Common local names like Gallant, Arsenault, Smallman, MacAusland and Hutchinson, to name just a few, made up the Caps’ lineup, and played very big roles.
Fans will never forget that magical season as the Caps made Summerside – and all of P.E.I. – very proud. A sports team is a community asset with the power to unite and inspire people, and the 1997 Western Capitals did exactly that. The Caps were inducted into the P.E.I. Sports Hall of Fame in 2002, and will be recognized by the Hall of Fame and this year’s Caps’ team at Sunday evening’s MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League game) against Yarmouth at Eastlink Arena. A pre-game reception and on-ice ceremony will take place before the 6 p.m. puck drop. Many of the 1997 team will be in attendance.
I will take a look back at that 1997 team in upcoming columns leading up to May 11 – the 20th anniversary of the Caps’ national championship win.
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are 23-20-10 (won-lost-overtime losses) for the season, and are presently five points out of a playoff spot. They have a record of 12-10-9 under coach Tom Rowe, who took over for Gerard Gallant on Nov. 27. Gallant had the Panthers at 11-10-1 to start the season. Under Rowe, Florida has accumulated 33 of 62 available points while the Panthers secured 23 of a possible 44 points under Gallant. As you can see, there is very little improvement under Rowe.
Adam McQuaid
Boston Bruins defenceman Adam McQuaid of Cornwall is one tough customer. Those who watched last Saturday’s Bruins’ game against Toronto saw one heck of a scrap between McQuaid and Leafs’ tough guy Matt Martin.
It was a toe-to-toe epic battle, and one of the best fights of the season. In the end, McQuaid landed the biggest blow that brought Martin to his knees before the officials stepped in.
If you are a fight fan, look this one up – it was a classic!
Playoffs
Tampa Bay, Detroit and Florida were all NHL playoff teams last year, but unless they all enjoy a turnaround, all three will miss this year’s postseason.
We all know about the circus in Florida, which defines the Panthers season, but Tampa and Detroit have to be the two Eastern Conference teams who have underachieved the most. The message from John Cooper in Tampa and Jeff Blashill in Detroit has grown old, and neither team is responding and looking like a playoff team. All three teams will need a stretch drive similar to what the Ottawa Senators experienced two years ago. Under Dave Cameron, the Senators went 23-4-4 in their final 31 games to secure a playoff spot.
It took 93, 98 and 93 points, respectively, in each of the last three seasons to make the Eastern Conference playoffs, which would mean at least 20 more wins from each team to get past the 90-point range. That is not likely to happen, especially with only 28 games left for the Wings and Lightning, and 29 for the Panthers. Could coaching changes be coming in Tampa and Detroit?
If so, either would be a perfect landing spot for Gallant.
Spring training
Major League Baseball spring training camps get underway next week in Florida and Arizona.
Most teams have their pitchers and catchers gathering on Tuesday while full team workouts begin three days later. The World Baseball Classic runs from March 6 to 22.
Have a great week!