Caps will have huge say in final playoff spot

Host Aces in last regular-season home game Thursday

The Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals will have a huge say in the final playoff spot in the Eastlink North Division of the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League).

The Capitals, who are 23-220-3 (won-lost-overtime lossesshootout losses), will close out the home portion of the 2016-17 regular-season schedule against the St. Stephen Aces at Eastlink Arena on Thursday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. Although the game means nothing for the third-place Capitals, who will open the best-ofseven Eastlink North Division semifinal series in Dieppe, N.B., against the second-place Commandos (27-15-3-3) on Wednesday, there is a lot at stake for the Aces (14-24-6-3).

St. Stephen is two points back of the Woodstock Slammers (1424-6-3) for the division’s fourth and final playoff spot.

The Aces, who are looking to qualify for the post-season for the first time in franchise history, have three games remaining, and the Slammers have two.

The Capitals will close out the regular season on the road against the Slammers on Sunday afternoon.

“Basically, for us right now, it’s trying to stay healthy and get healthy,” said Caps head coach Billy McGuigan. “It’s an important game for us, we would like to win it here at home, and get some momentum going into the playoffs.

“Also, we want to err on the side of caution with our players, and make sure everyone gets through games with no suspensions or no injuries.”

Last meetings

McGuigan admits the Caps have not forgotten about their last trip to St. Stephen, N.B., when the Aces scored 19 goals in back-to-back 9-5 and 10-6 victories. The Caps, though, have earned 10 of a possible 16 points – four wins and two shootout losses – in their eight games since those two losses to the Aces.

As for what he is looking for in the final two regular-season games, McGuigan said he’s hoping the Caps continue to play the way they have in the last month.

“Good structure, work ethic and I would like to see us shoot a little more,” continued the head coach. “That’s going to be something that we talk about a lot over the next few days. Our power play has been clicking here lately.

“We have moved a couple of points on it, and we have been scoring (power-play) goals each game. We are happy with the way things are going.”