SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — A stellar defensive game, outstanding goaltending and timely scoring sparked the Campbellton Tigers to a series-opening win over the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals on Saturday night.
Tristan Gray stopped 33 shots, and the Tigers scored two goals 55 seconds apart in the final two minutes of the first period en route to a 2-0 win. It was only the second time this season the Caps, who led the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) with 247 goals in 50 regular-season games, have been shut out. The first time was also against the Tigers in Summerside – 5-0 on Feb. 16.
Game 2 in the best-of-seven Eastlink North Division final is scheduled for the Campbellton Memorial Civic Centre on Tuesday, with the teams returning to Summerside for Game 3 on Thursday. Both contests are 7 p.m. starts.
Click here for Caps-Tigers' series preview story:
Before 2,021 fans at Eastlink Arena, Dawson Stairs opened the scoring on a great individual effort at 18:45. Stairs made a nifty move around a Caps defenceman and scored on a back-hander from just outside the goal crease’s blue paint past Caps goaltender Dominik Tmej high on the stick side.
A skirmish followed the goal, which resulted in the Tigers receiving a two-minute power play. Drew Toner capitalized at 19:40, when he scored from in close off the right wing.
Overall, Tmej faced 29 shots.
Click here for story on big crowds expected for Caps-Tigers' series:
Disallowed goal
It looked like Cameron Roberts scored to put the Caps on the board late in the second period as he banged in a loose puck in the crease, but referee Tim Hamel waved the goal off. There was no announcement made on why the goal was disallowed.
The Caps had an opportunity to get back in the game in the third period, but failed to score on a two-man power play for 33 seconds with just under 13 minutes remaining.
Click here for updated story on Game 1, including post-game comments from both head coaches:
Overall, the Caps were 0-for-7 with the man advantage, and the Tigers went 1-for-4.
Referees Hamel and Nolan Cornish called six minors, one 10-minute misconduct and one checking-from-behind game misconduct against the Caps. The Tigers were assessed four minors and one 10-minute misconduct.
The game’s three stars were:
1. Tristan Gray (Tigers), 2. Dominik Tmej (Caps), 3. Dawson Stairs (Tigers).
Check back later for updated story.
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