Players expecting intense opener

MacArthur, Reeves no stranger to Kensington-Charlottetown rivalry

KENSINGTON – Two veteran players know exactly what to expect when the Kensington Wild and Charlottetown Pride open the best-of-seven provincial major midget hockey championship series.

“Game 1 is where everyone is going to come out and work their hardest, so we’ll try to get the win in the first one and keep it going,” said forward and Summerside native Bennett MacArthur, who is in his second year with the Wild.

Pride forward and captain Nick Reeves, also of Summerside, feels the series will provide fans with a good matchup.

“It’s a new season, so what happened in the regular season is done,” said Reeves, who is in his second and final season with the Pride.

“Both teams will come out hard, empty their tanks and I think it will be a long, gruelling series for both teams.”

This will be the second WildPride playoff experience for Reeves and MacArthur, who are both draft picks of the Summerside Western Capitals of the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League).

“It’s definitely interesting,” said Reeves. “Coming into last year I didn’t know what to expect (with the rivalry).”

An electric atmosphere inside the cozy confines of Credit Union Centre in Kensington is expected for Game 1 on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

“It’s crazy the intensity (between the Wild and Pride),” said Reeves, 17. “Games in K-Town, they usually pack it and it’s a small barn so everything echoes.

“Their crowd and our crowd are both usually pretty loud, so it should be exciting.”

MacArthur added players feed off the passion of the fans.

“It will be a great atmosphere, and both teams bring their best every game,” said MacArthur, 18. “It should be a great series.”