Caps start off post-Christmas schedule on winning note
Summerside hosts free New Year’s Eve game vs. Wildcats
The Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals’ offence picked up where it left off before a short Christmas break.
The Capitals, led by captain TJ Shea’s four-goal performance, trimmed the host Valley Wildcats 7-1 on Saturday night to improve their Eastlink North Division-leading record to 215-0 (won-lost-overtime losses). The Caps, who erupted for nine goals in their final pre-Christmas game in Edmundston on Dec. 22, are also right in the thick of the race for first overall in the 12-team MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League).
The Caps, who moved into sole possession of second place overall on Saturday, are seven points behind the league-leading Yarmouth Mariners (24-5-1).
The Caps will play one of their four games-in-hand on Yarmouth on Monday, when the Wildcats provide the opposition for a 5 p.m. game that features free admission as part of the City of Summerside’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Before 345 fans at the Kings Mutual Century Centre in Berwick, N.S., defenceman Conor MacEachern had a goal and three assists while sophomore forward Cameron Roberts contributed four assists for the Capitals.
Kayden Peck and Ryan MacDonald each netted single goals while other assists went to Brodie MacArthur (2), Josh MacDonald, Calum MacPherson, Zach Thususka, Brodie MacMillan and Jesse Annear. Landon Quinney netted the lone goal for the Wildcats (5-203).
The Caps led 2-1 after one period, and increased that margin to 5-1 following 40 minutes.
Overall, the Capitals held a 41-31 shots-on-goal advantage. Dominik Tmej, who has allowed four goals in his last six games, earned the goaltending win. The game’s three stars were: 1. TJ Shea (Capitals), 2. Cameron Roberts (Capitals), 3. Conor MacEachern (Capitals).