Caps play back-to-back games

Yarmouth Mariners visit on Sunday

The Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals will play back-to-back games this weekend in the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League).

The Capitals, who are 18-121-0 (won-lost-overtime lossesshootout losses) after a solid 5-1 victory over the Valley Wildcats in Summerside on Thursday night, hit the road on Saturday to face the St. Stephen Aces (721-0-1), and host the Eastlink South Division-leading Yarmouth Mariners (22-7-1-0) at Eastlink Arena on Sunday at 4 p.m.

“St. Stephen is in the same situation as Valley is in where they’ve kind of sold off their players,” said Capitals head coach Billy McGuigan, whose club has won four of its last five games. “It’s another one of those trap games. You are going into the other team’s building, you can’t underestimate them and we have to make sure we are sharp throughout the game.

“Then we have a real good Yarmouth team coming in here the next day after a lot of travel on Saturday night.”

Won four of five

The Capitals have won four of their last five games, and going into Friday’s play held a threepoint lead over the Campbellton Tigers (16-13-2-0) and Miramichi Timberwolves (15-10-2-2) in the race for second place in the Eastlink North Division.

“Every point is so big right now,” said McGuigan. “The division is so tight, and there is a lot of parity. It’s important to get these points when you can get them.”

Sunday’s matchup features two high-scoring teams. Following Thursday’s games, the Caps scored a league-leading 117 goals while the Mariners were fourth overall with 112.

“They (Mariners) are a very high offensive team, they are well-coached by Laurie Baron and I think it will be a real good hockey game,” said McGuigan, who added Alex Bishop will get the start in goal for the Caps on Saturday.

Bishop is 1-1, with a 3.03 goals-against average and .900 save percentage.

With the return of Dominik Tmej from the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, goaltender Rett Rook, who had a 4-6-1 (wonlost-overtime losses) record, a 4.10 goals-against average and .880 save percentage, has joined the Kensington Moase Plumbing and Heating Vipers of the Island Junior Hockey League.