MONCTON, N.B. – Edmundston Blizzard head coach Ryan Salvis is not surprised with how the first two games have unfolded against the Summerside Western Capitals.
The Capitals won Game 1 of the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) playoff series 5-4 on Saturday night, and the Blizzard bounced back for a 3-2 win on Sunday night to even the best-of-seven Eastlink North Division final 1-1.
“To be honest with you, they kind of went the way we would have predicted in terms of it being very close,” said Salvis. “Game 1 was a little bit to Summerside’s advantage, we weren’t defending the way we wanted to, but in Game 2 we had more of a commitment to team defence.
“That’s more our style, and we don’t want to get into those 5-4, 6-5 high-scoring affairs with Summerside. We’d like to just kind of play well defensively, and we are happy to come away with a 3-2 win (Sunday).”
Salvis did acknowledge the Blizzard will be looking to “work on a few things” before Game 3.
“We made a couple of slight adjustments with the lines and our approach (Sunday),” said Salvis. “Obviously, we need to find a way to get our power play going.
“We are just going to keep going the way we went last game. We were really pleased with the start we had both games, and we would like to continue that in the next two games on the Island.”
Click here for story on Caps head coach Billy McGuigan accusing Blizzard of embellishing and diving:
The Blizzard has registered 20 shots in the first period of the opening two games. Overall, Edmundston has outshot Summerside 90-59.
“Knowing that Summerside has two very good goaltenders, that is part of our game plan – to bring pucks and bodies to the net,” explained Salvis. “It doesn’t matter if it’s (Alex) Bishop or (Dominik) Tmej, we are going to have the same approach – just bring everything to the net.
“To put 40-plus (shots) both games, and if it’s a lot of shots every game and it’s a long series, it could take its toll on those goalies.”
Click here for story on Games 1 and 2 between Caps and Blizzard:
The Blizzard have also used two goaltenders. After Myles Hektor was beaten five times on 24 shots in the opener, Frances Asselin turned aside 33 of 35 shots in earning the win in Game 2.
“We went with Hektor to start the playoffs, and basically told him it was his net until we needed to switch,” said Salvis. “As coaches we looked at all the goals, and you couldn’t fault Myles on any of those goals in Game 1.
“Sometimes you have to switch things up to light a spark under a team. Summerside did that in Game 1 after three goals on Bishop, who played really well. They switched up and put Tmej in, and it ended up working out well for them.
“We are happy with both our goalies, that’s a position we like our depth at.”
Click here for series preview between Caps and Blizzard:
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