Caps beat Crushers
Thususka, Taylor, Smith, Harper, Shea all record two points in road victory
What layoff?
The Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals posted a solid 5-2 road victory over the Pictou County Crushers in the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) on Thursday night. Although the Caps were playing their first game in 11 days, rookie forward Zach Thususka got the visitors off and running as he staked the Caps to a 1-0 lead before the game was one minute old. It was Thususka’s first goal as a Western Capital.
The Capitals would take a 2-0 lead into the first intermission, and increased that margin to 3-0 at the end of 40 minutes. The victory upped Summerside’s record to 7-8-1-0 (wonlost-overtime losses-shootout losses). The Crushers dropped to 7-10-1-0.
Before 737 fans at the Pictou County Wellness Centre, Austin Taylor, Zach Thususka and Riley Smith all had one goal and an assist to lead the Capitals. Thomas Harper and TJ Shea each chipped in with two assists.
Jordan Spence and Alex Hambly added single goals while Brodie MacArthur and Jesse Annear chipped in with assists. Michael Dill and Kevin Mason answered for the Crushers, who received helpers from Jacob Hickey, Donovan Rehill, Dylan Riley and Alec Tiley. Brayden Lachance had his second strong performance in as many starts between the pipes for the Caps. After turning in a 35-save performance in a 3-2 road loss against the Edmundston Blizzard in his Caps’ debut on Oct. 28, Lachance stopped 31 of 33 shots against the Crushers. Crushers goaltender Luke Melanson also faced 33 shots. The game’s three stars were: 1. Austin Taylor (Caps), 2. Zach Thususka (Caps), 3. Kevin Mason (Crushers).
The Capitals are now idle from game action until Saturday, Nov. 18, when the Crushers pay a return visit to Eastlink Arena for a 7 p.m. faceoff. This will mark the Caps’ first home game in 34 days.