SUMMERSIDE – The Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals’ defence not only contributed to a shutout, but quietly played a big part in the team’s offensive production.
“It started with our defence,” said Capitals forward and team captain TJ Shea following the Caps’ 6-0 whitewashing of the Edmundston Blizzard on Saturday night. “The D passes it to the forwards, and the forwards go into the offensive zone.
“That first pass is crucial, and when they are making that tape-to-tape pass it’s a lot easier for the forwards.”
The 20-year-old Shea, who is from Anglo Tignish, added playing a well-structured game was also a key in the Caps’ home opener, played before an announced crowd of 1,624 fans at Eastlink Arena.
“We started playing above the puck, and we were always on the right side of the puck,” assessed Shea, who has a league-leading 17 points – seven goals and 10 assists. “That allowed us to make nice plays, get it into their zone, really collapse their defence and create odd-man rushes and chances that led to goals.”
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Three-point nights
Veteran forward and assistant captain Brodie MacArthur of Summerside and newcomer Noah Massie of St-Lazare, Que., each had a goal and two assists as the Caps improved to 3-2-0 (won-lost-overtime losses).
“I’m not really used to getting points, but it’s always nice to get on the scoreboard and help your team win,” said Massie. “I have to credit my teammates, they set me up and gave me the opportunity to get points. It’s not me, it’s them.”
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Massie, who had six assists in 44 games with the Charlottetown Islanders of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League last season, understands defensive play is his No. 1 priority.
“The defensive zone for me is where I really want to improve,” said Massie, 19. “I’ve been told that I think I’ve been a little too offensive, so I’m trying to work on the defensive part of my game.
“Points will come and that doesn’t bother me. It’s more about plus-minus and getting the win.”
Kallum Muirhead (1-1) and Josh MacDonald also scored for the Caps. Cameron Roberts (2), Calum MacPherson and Hunter Bradley drew assists.
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Dominik Tmej registered a solid 33-save shutout – 28 of those stops came in the final 40 minutes. Francis Asselin was tested 28 times for Edmundston (3-3-0). Tmej’s most important save of the night came in the first period as he robbed Nicholas Richards from point-blank range with his left pad. Just after that save MacDonald scored a breakaway goal make to it a 2-0 game at 8:33, and the Caps would go on to open up period leads of 4-0 and 5-0.
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The Caps killed off all four Edmundston power plays while scoring once in three man advantages.
The game’s three stars were:
1. TJ Shea (Capitals), 2. Dominik Tmej (Capitals), 3. Noah Massie (Capitals).
The Caps’ next game is Saturday, when the league-leading Yarmouth Mariners (6-0-1) visit Summerside for a 7 p.m. faceoff.
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