SUMMERSIDE – Billy McGuigan’s message to the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals will be a simple one.
Do not take the Valley Wildcats lightly.
The two MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) teams will meet at Eastlink Arena on Thursday at 7 p.m.
“You have a team coming in who is second last in the other division and battling for a playoff spot,” explained McGuigan. “But they are real hungry, and are fighting for their lives over there. It’s a trap game for us, but we’ll be ready.”
There are also an important two points at stake for the Capitals, who sit second in the Eastlink North Division at 17-12-1-0 (won-lost-overtime losses-shootout losses). The Caps have an opportunity to extend a one-point lead over both the Campbellton Tigers (16-12-2-0) and Miramichi Timberwolves (15-10-2-2).
“Both divisions are tight, so every game matters,” noted Capitals forward Kallum Muirhead.
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Playoff spot
In the Eastlink South Division, the Wildcats (12-17-1-1) have closed to within three points of the Truro Bearcats (14-15-0-1) for the fourth and final playoff spot.
“They are a good team, skilled and fast,” said Muirhead, who is listed as six foot five and 235 pounds and provides the Caps with a physical presence up front.
The Caps defeated the Wildcats 4-2 in Summerside on Nov. 23 in the only head-to-head meeting between the two teams this season. They will also meet in Berwick, N.S., on Feb. 10.
“They are playing really well right now, and are one of the hotter teams in the league,” pointed out McGuigan. “They just beat (Eastlink North Division-leading) Edmundston Sunday 3-0, so we are expecting a different team. We need to play a full solid 60 minutes and have everyone on board.”
Back from injury
Muirhead, who returned to game action with the Caps right before the Christmas break after being sidelined with an injury, said he is happy to be back on the ice. Muirhead scored a goal, assisted on another and earned second-star honours in a 5-2 home-ice win over the Truro Bearcats on Sunday evening.
“When I first got back I was a little winded because I hadn’t been playing for a while, but now I’m rolling,” added the 18-year-old Charlottetown native, who is in his second season with the Caps.
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