SUMMERSIDE – The Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals didn’t show any signs of rust on Saturday night.
Veteran forward and assistant captain Brodie MacArthur of Summerside scored a hat trick while Sullivan Sparkes contributed two goals and an assist to spark the Caps to a 7-1 victory over the Grand Falls Rapids in the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League). It was only the Caps’ second game in 21 days, and the team is now off for another week before hosting the Campbellton Tigers on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m.
There was some question if the Caps and Rapids would be able to finish the game as a power outage delayed the start of the third period. However, play resumed shortly after power was restored.
The Caps also announced a trade on social media Saturday. The Caps acquired 20-year-old forward Ryan MacDonald from the St. Stephen Aces for a third-round draft choice in 2019 and future considerations. MacDonald, who is from Sackville, N.S., has played the last three years in the MHL.
In 2016-17, MacDonald had one assist in one game with the Miramichi Timberwolves and 16 points – seven goals and nine assists – in 22 games with the Amherst Ramblers. MacDonald registered 26 points – nine goals and 17 assists – in 46 games with the Aces last year, and he had five goals and six assists for 11 points in 18 games with St. Stephen this season.
Also scoring
Before 788 fans at Eastlink Arena, Sam Meisenheimer (1-1) and Michal Sivek also scored for the Eastlink North Division-leading Caps, who improved to 17-4-0 (won-lost-overtime losses). Calum MacPherson was credited with three assists while single helpers were credited to Conor MacEachern, Brodie MacMillan, Kayden Peck, Kallum Muirhead, Josh MacDonald and Marc Richard.
Jean-Simon Belanger netted the lone goal for Grand Falls (6-13-3), the former Woodstock Slammers.
Winning goaltender Dominik Tmej turned aside 23 of 24 shots. Andrew Rose stopped 40 of 47 shots for the Rapids.
The game’s three stars were:
1. Brodie MacArthur (Caps), 2. Sullivan Sparkes (Caps), 3. Dominik Tmej (Caps).
