Caps play three games in four days

SUMMERSIDE –The Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals players are going to see plenty of ice time over the long weekend.

P.E.I.’s lone entry in the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL) will play three games in four days, beginning today when the Pictou County Crushers visit Eastlink Arena for a 6 p.m. faceoff.

The Caps, who are 5-3-2 (won-lost-overtime losses), travel to Berwick, N.S., to take on the Valley Wildcats (5-8-1) on Saturday at 8 p.m. Following an off-day Sunday, the Caps entertain the Truro Bearcats (8-9-1) in an Islander Day matinee on Monday at 2 p.m.

It will mark the first regular-season meeting between the Caps and Crushers (9-61). The two teams did meet in the pre-season.

“I did some video on them, and they are a very decent team,” said Caps head coach Billy McGuigan.

“They have some grit to them and they play pretty hard and are structured.”

The Caps and Wildcats have played three close games this season.

The Caps won 5-4 in overtime on Nov. 7 and scored two goals in the final 23 seconds of the second period to break a 2-2 tie en route to a 5-3 win on Feb. 6.

Valley prevailed 4-3 in overtime on Nov. 20.

“Their transition game is their bread and butter,” said McGuigan.

“You have to be aware when you have possession of the puck that you don’t turn it over because if you do, there are basically two guys every time coming the other way.

“They try to set it up a little bit of a track meet. I don’t like to get into those.”

The Caps defeated the Bearcats 8-1 in the lone meeting between the teams on Jan. 30.

McGuigan said the score was not indicative of the game, and he expects a tough battle against Truro.

“They are tough, play a physical game and it will be another different look at a team,” said McGuigan.

“They are more structured and play a more physical game. Valley is more run and gun, and Pictou is kind of in between them.

“It will be three different mindsets this weekend with three different teams.”

Jacob LeBlanc is the expected starter in goal for the Caps this evening.