Journal Pioneer

Caps treat West Prince fans to junior A brand

Summerside downs Bearcats 3-1 before over 800 fans in Tignish

- BY ERIC MCCARTHY wbureau@journalpio­neer.com

The Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals scored an impressive homeice win away from the Eastlink Arena on Saturday night, downing the Truro Bearcats 3-1 at Tignish Credit Union Arena.

The Capitals, sitting second in the Eastlink North Division, now hold a nine-point lead on the third-place Miramichi Timberwolv­es with five regular-season games remaining for both teams in the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League). Saturday’s contest was a homecoming for the league’s leading scorer, Caps’ secondyear forward TJ Shea. Shea, who is from Anglo Tignish, last played a home season out of the Tignish Credit Union Arena during his second year in atom AAA. He recalls his team taking a game there when he was playing bantam AAA, and admitted being “a little nervous” as Saturday’s game got underway.

“It was a big crowd and a lot of people I know were watching me, so I wanted to do well for them and get a win here,” he said. “The nerves settled in after a while, and it ended up being a good game.”

Shea drew an assist on Sebastian Cormier’s goal at 19:18 of the first period, which gave the Capitals a 2-0 lead, and was named the game’s third star. Another player with a strong connection to the area is Thomas Harper from Charlottet­own, who had a solid game on defence. His father, Scott, is from Tignish and his mother Tanya is from Elmsdale. The Caps’ win was a neat birthday present for his grandmothe­r, Muriel Harper. The Capitals, who got on the board with a Chris Chaddock power-play goal at 9:45 of the first period, then went up 3-0 on a Brodie MacArthur power-play goal at 2:48 of the second period. They went 2-for-4 with the man advantage after scoring on their first two power-play opportunit­ies. Each team was assessed five minors while the Capitals also took a 10-minute misconduct.

Longtime Tignish Aces defenceman Michael Gaudette appreciate­d the opportunit­y to see the Capitals play a home game in Tignish. It was a good game, he assessed.

“It’s good for the community, too,” he said. With minor hockey and other priorities locally, he said it is rare he gets to see the Capitals play at home. He especially liked the opportunit­y to see Shea and Harper play. To have a game come up, it’s pretty big. You get to see them.”

It was a good game from the Caps’ management perspectiv­e, too. They listed game attendance at 810, including seasontick­et holders, and are hoping to attract more fans to their remaining two regular-season home games and their playoff games because of it. MacArthur led the Capitals with a goal and an assist and was named the game’s first star. Jesse Annear (two assists) was named second star. Jordan Spence and Cam Roberts each picked up an assist for the Capitals in the win. Capitals goaltender Dominik Tmej had his shutout bid spoiled by Campbell Pickard with 3:32 remaining in the third. Assists on Pickard’s goal were credited to Mark O’Shaughness­y and Dylan Burton.

Tmej stopped 26 of the Bearcats’ 27 shots. The Capitals

directed 28 shots at Bearcats goaltender Kevin Resop. “We’ve got three games next weekend (they host Campbellto­n on Thursday and visit South Shore on Friday and Yarmouth on Saturday), so they will be a hard three games.

“We’re playing three tough teams as well, so we’re just looking to get a few wins down the home stretch and get ready for the playoffs,” Shea said in looking ahead. “We’re just hoping on finishing strong.”

 ?? ERIC MCCARTHY/JOURNAL PIONEER ?? A young fan waits patiently for an autograph from hometown favourite TJ Shea following the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals’ home game against the Truro Bearcats in Tignish on Saturday night.
ERIC MCCARTHY/JOURNAL PIONEER A young fan waits patiently for an autograph from hometown favourite TJ Shea following the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals’ home game against the Truro Bearcats in Tignish on Saturday night.

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