YARMOUTH, N.S. – The Yarmouth Mariners’ snapped the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals’ winning streak at four games Saturday night.
The Mariners, who have clinched first place in the Eastink South Division and took a 34-12-1-0 (won-lost-overtime losses-shootout losses) record into Sunday night’s game against the Valley Wildcats, pulled out a 3-1 decision over the visiting Capitals, who were playing their third game in three nights in the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League).
The Capitals, who have clinched second place in the Eastlink North Division, fell to 31-16-1-0. The Caps will face either the Campbellton Tigers (23-21-2-2) or Miramichi Timberwolves (22-19-3-3) in the opening round of the playoffs. Campbellton and Miramichi are tied for third place in the Eastlink North Division with 50 points.
The Capitals will play their final two regular-season games this week – at home against the Woodstock Slammers (12-27-6-2) at Eastlink Arena on Thursday at 7 p.m., and in Miramichi on Saturday night.
40 saves
Before 1,307 fans at the Mariners Centre, Capitals goaltender Alex Bishop turned in a 40-save effort to keep the Caps in the game.
The first period was scoreless, and the Mariners took a 2-1 advantage into the second intermission. The score remained 2-1 until Aaron Maillet sealed the win with an empty-net goal with nine seconds remaining in regulation time.
Andrew Martell and Ben Chipman also scored for Yarmouth while Brodie MacMillan, assisted by Brodie MacArthur and TJ Shea, countered for the Capitals. Maillet, Logan Timmons, Matt Smith and Adam Pilotte chipped in with helpers for Yarmouth.
Leif Hertz earned the goaltending win as the Mariners held a 43-30 shots-on-goal advantage.
The game’s three stars were:
1. Aaron Maillet (Mariners), 2. Leif Hertz (Mariners), 3. Alex Bishop (Capitals).
