Win streaks on the line
Pride hosting Wild in major midget action
The Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild has won 10 straight games while the Charlottetown Bulk Carriers Pride has won back-to-back contests.
One of those streaks will end tonight when the teams meet in New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Major Midget Hockey League action. Game time is 7 p.m. at MacLauchlan Arena. Wild head coach Kyle Dunn said everybody always get up for the games between the province’s two major midget squads.
“You’re going to get the best of both teams,” he said. “It’s good for the crowd around P.E.I. to get to see great local hockey.”
Kensington (15-2-1) is tied for the league lead while Charlottetown (8-9-1) is fourth in the sixteam circuit. The Wild has won
the previous three meetings and the teams will meet twice more after tonight before the calendar turns to 2019.
Pride head coach Luke Beck said they respect what the Wild has done this season, but it doesn’t fear them.
“We’ve proven we can slow them down,” Beck said, noting when it does get away from its game plan the Wild have hurt
them. “We have to learn from that.”
The Wild will be without captain Ethan Beaulieu and Simon Hughes due to upper-body injuries. The Pride is a bit banged up and will be missing three thirdyear players in captain Nick Reeves, Declan MacEachern and Bradley Campbell due to injury tonight. Beck said they won’t rush the guys back and it does provide an opportunity for the younger players to play more.
“We wish those three guys were playing tomorrow night, but we want them to get healthy,” he said Thursday.
Beck said his squad needs to defend its net and capitalize on its offensive chances.
Josh Smith gets the start for the Wild. He is 9-0-0 with a 2.54 goals-against average while playing behind No. 1 Chad Arsenault.
“He’s accepts his role,” Dunn said. “Anytime he’s into the game, he’s well-prepared and he works hard on and off the ice.” Smith, who will represent the province at the 2019 Canada Games, is gaining confidence with each game, his head coach said. He also has a great example to learn from in the hard-working Arsenault.
“He gets to see Chad every day and how he prepares,” Dunn said.