Two-game weekend for Caps
The Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals’ pursuit of home-ice advantage in the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) playoffs continues this weekend.
The Capitals, who are 27-141-0 (won-lost-overtime lossesshootout losses), visit the Campbellton Tigers (20-17-2-1) on Saturday night, and host the St. Stephen Aces (9-30-0-1) in an Islander Day matinee at Eastlink Arena on Monday at 2 p.m. “They are very important games for us, starting off with that game in Campbellton on Saturday night,” said Capitals forward Riley Smith. “We are going to have to have a big challenge as we play on the road, and our last two games in Campbellton have been two of our poorer performances this season. As a group we are looking forward to that challenge.” With the Capitals drawing just under 1,200 fans in two of their last four home games, a big crowd is expected for the holiday match.
“Pretty well every game going forward we need to take it as a must-win game, and get every point we can,” said Caps forward Alex Hambly of Stratford.
Second place
The Caps enter weekend play in second place in the Eastlink North Division, seven points up on the third-place Miramichi Timberwolves (21-13-3-3) in the race for home-ice advantage in the opening round of the postseason.
“It doesn’t matter who you play against, you want the two points,” said Smith, who has five goals and three assists for eight points in 29 games with the Caps. “We want home ice in the first round, and it’s all about trending in the right direction towards the playoffs. “From the start of November we have been really good, and I think we have only lost seven games since then. We want to continue that trend towards the playoffs, and be peaking at the right time.”
Smith, who is from Charlottetown, joined the Capitals in late October. After having last played on P.E.I. in bantam AAA, Smith welcomed the opportunity to return.
“Being someone who has followed hockey my entire life, the Summerside Capitals are a team I’ve always been familiar with, going to games when I was a little bit younger, and getting to watch some high-calibre hockey back then,” said Smith. “It’s pretty special to be a part of that now.”
Hambly joined the Caps in training camp after playing with the MHL’s Woodstock Slammers last season. Hambly admits there is one big difference playing in Summerside compared to Woodstock. “Playing in Woodstock it was guys from all over the place, but in Summerside, I’m not sure what the exact stat is, but it’s almost all Island guys,” explained Hambly. “We are a pretty tight group.
“I knew all the boys growing up either playing with them or against them. It’s kind of neat to be on the team with them.” Hambly said having 17 Islanders on the roster has resulted in a strong team chemistry.
“All of us being from the Island helps,” said Hambly, who has recorded 13 points, including seven goals, in 41 contests. “We have been playing against each other and kind of know each other, and can look back at old games and kind of laugh about them.
“It keeps us loose in the room and we have a tight bond.”