SUMMERSIDE – Two members of the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals have been recognized for their strong play in December by the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League).
Goaltender Dominik Tmej was announced as the first star of the month while forward Brodie MacArthur received third-star honours. Campbellton Tigers defenceman Pierre-Luc Lurette, who had 16 points in nine games, was named the second star.
Edmundston Blizzard goaltender Ewan MacDonald, who went 3-0-0 (won-lost-overtime losses) with a 2.18 goals-against average, .925 save percentage and two shutouts, was announced as the rookie of the month.
Tmej is coming off one of the best months between the pipes in MHL history. In five games, the 19-year-old from Bradenton, Fla., allowed just three goals for a 0.60 goals-against average while registering a .981 save percentage. Tmej’s resumé also included back-to-back shutouts.
The second-year Western Capital made 23 saves in a 7-1 win over Grand Falls on Dec. 1, and followed that up with a 59-save shutout in a 3-0 decision over the visiting Campbellton Tigers on Dec. 8. Tmej then stopped all 25 shots he faced in a 6-0 road shutout over St. Stephen on Dec. 15. He closed out the month with 21 saves in a 9-1 road win over Edmundston on Dec. 22, and a 30-save effort in the Caps’ 7-1 victory over host Valley on Dec. 29.
Tmej enters 2019 with a league-leading 2.10 goals-against average and .938 save percentage. Tmej’s three shutouts tie him with two others for the league lead, and he has 13 wins in 16 games.
16 points
MacArthur picked up nine goals and seven assists in seven games to remain among the league leaders in virtually all offensive categories. The 19-year-old from Summerside also will take an eight-game point streak into Saturday’s home game against the Amherst Ramblers at 7 p.m.
MacArthur, who is tied for the league lead with five game-winning goals, netted two game-winners in December.
MacArthur kicked off the month with six goals in his first three games. He scored a hat trick against Grand Falls on Dec. 1, scored a power-play goal against Campbellton on Dec. 8, and had two goals versus St. Stephen on Dec. 15.
After adding an assist in a 5-4 loss to Grand Falls on Dec. 21, MacArthur went on a tear to finish 2018. He had three assists and the game-winning goal against Edmundston on Dec. 22, he was credited with three helpers against Valley on Dec. 29 and scored twice – once short-handed and the game-winner – to help the Caps to a 4-1 win over Valley on New Year’s Eve before a packed house in Summerside.
MacArthur only trails teammate TJ Shea in overall goals, assists and points. MacArthur has 22 goals, 29 assists and 51 points while Shea’s totals are 24 goals, 32 assists and 56 points.
