Semifinal starts tonight
Summerside Capitals in Edmundston, N.B., to play Blizzard in opener
The Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals and Edmundston Blizzard are about to write another chapter in the playoff rivalry between the two Maritime Junior Hockey League franchises.
The two teams will open the best-of-seven Eastlink North Division final series with backto-back games in Edmundston, N.B., tonight and Sunday night. The teams return to Summerside for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.
“I think it’s going to be high intensity, I think it’s going to be physical and I think it’s going to be a real, good series,” predicted Caps head coach Billy McGuigan. “They obviously built a new rink up in Edmundston and there’s a lot of hype and excitement around their program, and we have the best fans in the league here in Summerside. They get behind our team just as well.
“It’s going to be a sold-out rink up in Edmundston and a lot of emotions for both teams. We are going to be up against the fans, up against a great hockey club and it’s going to be fun.”
Although this is the Blizzard’s first season in Edmundston, the franchise, which was previously known as the Moncton Beavers and Dieppe Commandos, has had some classic playoff battles with the Caps, dating back to Summerside’s five-game series win in 2001. The Caps and Beavers met in a dramatic seven-game division final in 2007, which attracted sold-out crowds to the recently opened Credit Union Place, and the teams exchanged emotional six-game series wins in 2016 and 2017. The Commandos posted a series-clinching overtime win in 2016 and the Caps were victorious in 2017.
“It’s always good to have good rivalries,” said Blizzard head coach Ryan Salvis. “I feel we match up well, and have had some good games with Summerside. This is a rivalry we want to pick up where it left off in Dieppe.”
In Round 1, the Caps won four straight games to defeat the Campbellton Tigers 4-1 while the Blizzard swept the Miramichi Timberwolves. Although the Caps, who finished the regular season 33-16-1-0, were favoured against Campbellton, McGuigan says that isn’t the case against the Blizzard (36-10-4-0).
“We are coming in as kind of the underdogs, playing the No. 1 team,” said McGuigan. “I like our speed, I like our back end, I like our goaltending and there’s a lot to like about our hockey club right now.
“We have big engines, we never give up. Edmundston finished first overall, and we were behind them in our division. You have to play a seven-game series and win four games.”
Salvis is not surprised the Caps and Blizzard are meeting in Round 2.
“It’s obviously something we’ve expected,” said Salvis. “I’ve kind of said it for the past month I think the winner of our series has a good chance to get that championship.
“It’s going to be a great test for us. It’s two well-rested teams. Our team is rested, and very healthy right now. We are looking forward to the challenge.”
Although the Blizzard won four of six regular-season meetings, the Caps confidence is bolstered by three one-goal losses with short-staffed lineups in Edmundston, and 4-0 and 5-1 wins on home ice in the final two head-to-head clashes.
“It’s the first time this season they will see our full lineup,” said McGuigan. “We are not going to lay down, that’s for sure. We know we are up against the best team in the league and they are
supposed to win, but that’s why you play the series.”
One interesting matchup will be offences versus defences. Both teams have proven they can score while keeping the puck out of their own net.
The Caps, led by T.J. Shea’s league-leading 105 points, led the circuit with 213 regular-season goals while the Blizzard allowed 137 – tied for third fewest. Edmundston scored 180 goals while the Caps were also stingy defensively, allowing 142. The Caps’ Brodie MacArthur, who was second in league scoring with 89 points, enters the series on a 41-game point streak.
“As a coach, I always take pride in defensive numbers,” said Salvis. “Everyone really seems to take pride in their effort away from the puck.
“We are just going to keep doing the same thing as taking care of the D zone, playing tough in the D zone and making Summerside work for chances. If we are making them at least work for their opportunities and play tough, strong playoff hockey, that is what we want.”
Edmundston’s last visit to Summerside on Feb. 8 featured one of the most physical Caps games in Summerside in a long time. Both coaches expect that to continue.