The Capitals controlled the play at both ends of the ice for the entire 60 minutes, and sent 71 shots in the direction of Shipbuilders goaltender Jeff Arkin, who earned first-star honours with a 64-save effort.
Kevin Bailie, who signed as a free agent last week, had a quiet night between the pipes in his debut with the Capitals, facing just 15 shots – two in the first, nine in the second and four in the third.
Along with Bailie, defencemen Michael Crocock and Mackenzie Braid and forwards Luke Warner and JP Harvey also played their first home game for the Capitals after being acquired in separate deals leading up to Thursday night’s roster and trade deadline.
The win extended the Capitals’ winning streak in the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) to nine games. The Caps, who sit atop the Roger Meek Division and the 11-team league’s overall standings, improved to 28-6-2-0 (won-lost-overtime losses-shootout losses).
Scoreless first period
Before 1,231 fans at Eastlink Arena, the first period was scoreless despite the fact the Caps outshot the Shipbuilders 26-2.
Thomas Stavert of Kensington was the first Capital to solve Arkin at 9:16 of the second period. However, it didn’t take long for the Dartmouth, N.S.-based Shipbuilders to answer back as former Capital Justin Thomas scored at 10:56.
JP Harvey, who was acquired from the Shipbuilders in the Thomas trade on Thursday, scored what proved to be the game-winning goal less than a minute later at 11:53. Zach Beaton scored at 14:57 to send the Caps into the second intermission ahead 3-1.
The Caps dominated the third period, outshooting the Shipbuilders 31-4, and scored the only four goals – Mitch Maynard (1:13), Chris Caissy (5:53) and a pair from Jon Aubertin (6:36 and 18:14) – of the final 20 minutes.
Aubertin also chipped in with a pair of assists for a game-leading four points. Spencer MacDonald (2), Braid, Harvey, Beaton, Maynard, Stavert, Colton Parsons, Danny Chiasson, Luke Warner and Patrick Volpe were credited with assists.
Aubertin was named the game’s second star, and Volpe picked up the third-star award.
Penalties
Referee Thane Arsenault called a total of 12 minor penalties – seven of those against the Capitals. Each team also picked up one checking-from-behind game misconduct while the Shipbuilders were assessed two of the three 10-minute misconducts handed out.
The Capitals now hit the road for five straight games, beginning Wednesday night in Miramichi against the Timberwolves (17-15-1-1).
The Caps’ next game at Eastlink Arena is Sunday, Jan. 26, against arch-rival Woodstock Slammers (20-11-2-0). The opening faceoff is set for 2 p.m.
