Western Capitals clinch first place
The Summerside D. Alex Macdonald Ford Western Capitals had a perfect weekend, winning three in a row and clinching first place in the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL).
On March 29, the Caps hosted the Truro Bearcats (24-24-3-2) in what could be a preview to a potential first round playoff matchup.
After the Bearcats scored the opening goal 59 seconds into the game, Blake Eastman tied it up for the Caps. Five minutes into the second, Trentyn Crane got a shorthanded break and made no mistake to give the Caps a lead that would last until the five-minute mark, when Brendan Macritchie of the Bearcats found the back of the net.
Midway through the third, Robbie Rutledge set up Brennan Murphy for the game winner, as the Capitals beat the Bearcats 3-2.
In Bouctouche, N.B. on March 1, the Caps defeated the West Kent Steamers 7-4 in a matchup between two of the top four teams in the MHL.
Crane (20th) and Dominik Godin (ninth) gave the Capitals a 2-1 lead after one. Three unanswered goas by Summerside (Crane, Nolan Stewart and Reid Vos) gave the Caps a 5-2 lead after two. Eastman and Jonah Macdonald scored for the Capitals in the third. Goaltender Drew Sim picked up both wins, making 58 saves on 64 shots.
The Capitals wrapped up their weekend March 2 when they hosted the 26-19-3-2 Amherst Ramblers.
Midway through the first, Paul Hughes scored on the powerplay to give the Capitals a 1-0 lead, but Amherst tied it with just 28 seconds remaining in the first.
Early in the second, the Ramblers took a 2-1 lead, but three minutes later Connor Keough scored on the powerplay to tie the game at two. Lincoln Waugh scored his third of the season minutes later to give the Caps a 3-2 lead. After trading goals, the teams went into the intermission with Summerside leading 4-3. The Caps put the game out of reach in the third with goals by Eastman and Vos to give the Capitals their seventh win in a row, 6-3.
Niko Boudreau, who was most recently named rookie of the month for February, made 37 saves on 40 shots.
The Capitals are back in action March 7 as they travel to Pictou County, N.S. to take on the 25-20-4-0 Crushers.