Muirhead’s hat trick keys Caps’ rally over Timberwolves
Summerside closes out regular season vs. Tigers
SUMMERSIDE – The Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals played the spoiler role Thursday night. The Caps overcame 2-0 and 3-1 deficits to edge the Miramichi Timberwolves 4-3 in the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) contest.
It was a costly loss for the Timberwolves, who failed to gain any ground on the St. Stephen Aces in the race for fourth and final playoff berth in the Eastlink North Division. The Timberwolves, who fell to 19-27-3 (wonlost-overtime losses), remain tied with the Aces (19-26-3).
Miramichi will close out the regular season on the road against the Edmundston Blizzard (2417-7) on Sunday afternoon while the Aces visited the Campbellton Tigers (30-13-5) on Friday night and host the Grand Falls Rapids (13-29-6) on Saturday night.
The Caps (39-8-2), who will close out the regular season at Eastlink Arena against Campbellton on Saturday at 7 p.m., have clinched first-place overall in the 12-team league. Summerside will face either the Aces or Timberwolves in the opening round of the playoffs.
Before an announced crowd of 915 fans, Kallum Muirhead scored a hat trick to lead the Caps versus Miramichi. Josh MacDonald and Marc Richard set up Brodie MacMillan’s game-winning goal at 10:53 of the third period.
Caps forward Brodie MacArthur collected three assists to increase his league-leading point total to 107 in 49 games. Cam Roberts added two helpers, and Conor MacEachern had a single assist.
James Walker (2-1) and Walker Campbell countered for the Timberwolves, who held period leads of 2-0 and 3-2. Ben Sheffar (3) and Johnny Foley (2) had multiple-assist games.
Overall, the Caps outshot the Timberwolves 43-22. Daniel Thompson picked up the goaltending win, and Tanner Somers was between the pipes for Miramichi.
The game’s three stars were: 1. Kallum Muirhead (Caps), 2. Brodie MacArthur (Caps), 3. Ben Sheffar (Timberwolves).