Back on the road
Caps conclude stretch of four straight road games to open regular season
The Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals are looking at the positives of starting the Maritime Junior Hockey League regular season on the road.
After splitting games last weekend against the South Shore Lumberjacks (a 7-2 win) and Yarmouth Mariners (a 5-1 loss), the Caps are back on the bus today for the long trek to St. Stephen, N.B., to take on the Aces (0-1) this evening. The Caps then visit the Miramichi Timberwolves (0-1) on Sunday afternoon to close out a season-opening four-game road trip, before raising the curtain on their home opener Sept. 29 against the Edmundston Blizzard at 7 p.m.
“It has its pros and cons to start the season (on the road),” said Caps head coach Billy McGuigan. “The first weekend we got a split and were pretty happy with it, and now this weekend we are looking to get four points.”
Capitals’ third-year defenceman and assistant captain Brodie MacMillan of Stratford said the early, long bus rides provide a great opportunity for team bonding.
“Those road trips are really good to get out of the way early in the year,” said MacMillan. “It forces you to spend hours and hours together.
“Going to Yarmouth even, it’s seven hours each way on the bus. That really lets you get to know everyone on the team, learn a little bit more about each other and have some fun. Having a few games on the road to start the year will really help us build as a team, and become better as a group.
“The earlier we can become a great team together, the more successful season we will have.”
MacMillan said he likes what he sees as far as team chemistry goes.
“There are a lot of Island players and we all seem to click. Even the guys who are from away, are all fitting in well, and they are all great guys.”
Another positive, McGuigan pointed out, is the Caps get some long trips out of the way early.
“As rough as it is on the team this year, it’s great to not have to travel to Yarmouth, Bridgewater and those places in the winter when it could be snowing and storming. It’s good to get them over early, with great driving and easy travel.”