SUMMERSIDE – One look at the standings says all that has to be said about the significance of Thursday’s MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) game at Eastlink Arena.
That contest will feature the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals hosting the Miramichi Timberwolves in a 7 p.m. start.
“It’s going to be a big game, and we are going to be prepared,” said Capitals head coach Billy McGuigan.
The Capitals, who are 20-12-1-0 (won-lost-overtime losses-shootout losses), are currently in second place in the Eastlink North Division, five points up on both the Timberwolves (16-10-2-2) and Campbellton Tigers (17-13-2-0).
To explain the importance of this game, a Caps’ win in regulation time will open up a seven-point gap over the Timberwolves. However, a regulation-time win by Miramichi will cut the deficit to just three points, and the Timberwolves also hold three games-in-hand.
“It’s going to be another tough game,” said Capitals’ first-year defenceman Jordan Spence of Cornwall. “It’s a big two points for us.”
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Goaltending
McGuigan said Dominik Tmej will start in goal for the Caps. Tmej leads the MHL in three different statistical categories – goals-against average (1.96), save percentage (.940) and shutouts (4).
Tmej turned in a 39-save performance, including some key saves at important times, in a 7-5 home-ice win over Yarmouth on Sunday.
Click here for update on date scheduled for Western Capitals' make-up game versus St. Stephen Aces:
Close games
If the first three regular-season meetings between the Caps and Timberwolves are any indication, a close game can be expected.
A power-play goal with 36 seconds remaining in the third period broke a 2-2 tie, and lifted the Timberwolves to a 3-2 win in Miramichi on Oct. 18. The Caps prevailed 3-2 in a shootout at the Miramichi Civic Centre on Dec. 1, and scored an empty-net goal with four seconds remaining to secure a 2-0 victory in Summerside on Dec. 7.
“They are a big, strong team,” said McGuigan in describing the Timberwolves. “They are a real good hockey team, I think they are as good as anyone in the league. They are bigger and strong, but we are a little faster.”
McGuigan has not been surprised by the low-scoring games between the Caps and Timberwolves.
“They are a little more tight checking to be honest with you, especially in Miramichi because it’s a smaller rink,” explained McGuigan. “Here at home it opens up a bit more, but neither team wants to make a mistake so it gets a little tough to score.”
Offence has not been a problem for the Caps lately as they have scored 26 goals during a four-game winning streak. Overall, the Caps, who have won six of their last seven games, have lit the lamp 130 times, second only to the South Shore Lumberjacks’ 132.
“Obviously, we are going to create some offence, but we also have to think about defence,” emphasized Spence, who played last season with the Charlottetown Bulk Carriers Pride of the New Brunswick/P.E.I. Major Midget Hockey League. “They (Timberwolves) are a really strong and powerful team, too. We have to look at defence first.”
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