Caps post comeback victory against Slammers

WOODSTOCK - Brett Gallant's powerplay marker late in the third period lifted the Summerside Western Capitals to a 5-4 victory over the Woodstock Slammers in Maritime Junior A Hockey League action here last night.
Gallant's winner, his second tally of the night, was one of three unanswered goals in the third period that gave the Caps the season-opening decision.
Trailing 4-2 in the third, Greg Paynter scored at 11:08 from Brad Smith and Gallant to pull the Caps within one of the Slammers.
Then at 11:31, Nathan DesRoches potted his second of the night to deadlock the game at four, set up by Neil Sherren and Josh Currie.
Gallant's winner came at 15:40, set up by Paynter and Josh McKinnon.
Mike Connolly opened the scoring late in the opening frame to put Woodstock ahead and John Chayka made it 2-0 at 2:26 of the second.
DesRoches put Summerside on the scoresheet at 5:44 of the middle frame from Sherren.
Goals by Brogan Bailey and Chayka put the Slammers up 4-1 before Gallant scored late in the period to close the margin to 4-2.
Gallant and DesRoches both finished with three points on the night. Paynter had an assist to go with his goal, Sherren had a pair of helpers, and Smith, Daniel Whelan, Currie, and Josh McKinnon finished the night with an assist apiece.
In net, Alex Dupuis stopped 28 of the 32 shots that came his way. At the other end, Curtis Black made 31 saves.
The Caps were one of five on the powerplay while Woodstock managed one goal in eight man-advantage situations.
The Capitals see action again Thursday when they travel to New Glasgow to face the Weeks Crushers in a 7:30 p.m. start.
Friday Summerside hosts Miramichi Timberwolves in their home opener for an 8 p.m. start at Credit Union Place.