SUMMERSIDE – A familiar opponent will provide the opposition for the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals’ home opener.
The Edmundston Blizzard, the team that ousted the Caps in Game 7 of the Eastlink North Division final in the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) in April, visits Eastlink Arena for a 7 p.m. faceoff on Saturday.
“It’s good to get back on home ice,” said Capitals forward Brodie MacArthur, 19. “Last year, we were pretty dominant on home ice, and hopefully this year we can do the same thing for our fans.”
Click here for story previewing this year's edition of the Western Capitals:
The Caps, who went 33-16-1 (won-lost-overtime losses) and finished third overall in the 12-team league during the 2017-18 campaign, are 2-2-0. Edmundston is 3-2-0.
“It’s going to be a very intense game,” said Caps forward Kallum Muirhead, 19.
MacArthur and Muirhead, who are both studying business at UPEI, agree that Saturday’s game will provide a good measuring stick for the young Capitals as the Blizzard is once again expected to be a strong contender.
“They have a pretty similar team to what they had last year,” said MacArthur. “They lost some guys, but they got some new guys.
“We know it will be a tough game, and we need a good start and keep it going for all three periods.”
Click here for Joe MacIntyre's Hot Corner column:
Muirhead, who had 35 points in 32 regular-season games last year, has high expectations for himself in his third season with the Caps.
“I do want to have a better year than last year, considering I was injured for quite a few games,” continued Muirhead, who has scored three goals in the team’s first four regular-season games. “I think can be better and play better overall, both offensively and defensively.”
Has MacArthur, coming off an 89-point season in 45 regular-season games, set any personal goals this season?
“Hopefully create some offence for our team, and play a good two-way game and win a lot of games,” he answered.
[email protected]
Twitter.com/JpsportsJason
https://www.facebook.com/jason.simmonds.180
