SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Penalties handed out at the end of Saturday night’s MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) playoff game between the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals and Campbellton Tigers could have a huge impact on the series going forward.
Forthcoming discipline is expected to be handed down before the teams play Game 5 at Eastlink Arena in Summerside on Monday at 8 p.m.
The Tigers won Saturday’s contest, played before 2,610 fans at the Campbellton Memorial Civic Centre, 3-2 to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven Eastlink North Division final.
At the 20-minute mark of the third period, the Caps’ Kallum Muirhead was assessed a match penalty for cross-checking and team captain TJ Shea received a fighting major and double game misconduct. Tigers goaltender Tristan Gray, who has been a big part of the Tigers’ success in the first four games, received a minor penalty for leaving the crease and a high-sticking major penalty. Campbellton defenceman Francis Thibeault, who was named the league’s top defenceman in the regular season, picked up a fighting major and double game misconduct.
Match or major penalty?
The copy of the official game sheet the Caps received after the game clearly lists Gray as receiving a match penalty for high sticking. However, that penalty was changed to a major on the league website.
When asked about this, MHL interim president Dave Ritcey said he could not comment as he was unaware and noted he had yet to see the official game sheet. He added that after each game the official game sheet goes to a league representative who double-checks everything on the website summary.
Ritcey noted any change to the game sheet would have to be made by the referee. No changes were made to the copy received by the Western Capitals, which still clearly shows a match penalty to Gray.
The Journal Pioneer contacted both Ritcey and vice-president Tom Allaby, who handles discipline, on Sunday morning seeking confirmation on what players will be suspended. Both declined comment and when pressed on who would be suspended based on the league’s code of discipline and the penalties assessed, they still declined.
Ritcey noted the discipline will be reviewed and communicated to the teams first.
According to the MHL code of discipline, Shea and Thibeault should receive a minimum two-game suspension.
“Any player involved in a fight during the pre-game warmup, prior to the start of a period or at the conclusion of a period, resulting in a suspension, shall receive a minimum (2) two-game suspension plus any other penalties which may apply,” reads the constitution.
The MHL code of discipline lists a minimum of two games for a match penalty. Major penalties are also subject for suspension review.
Here’s a look at what the teams could possibly be losing to suspension: Gray has earned all three wins and stopped 110 of 116 shots while Thibeault has one goal – the game-winning marker in Game 3 – and has logged big minutes on the team’s blue-line. Shea, named the first star in the Caps’ 4-1 win in Game 2, has three points in the four games while Muirhead has one assist.
Nonetheless, the stage is set for Monday, when the Caps will look to stave off elimination while the Tigers will look to clinch the series.
Campbellton has yet to lose on Summerside ice in this series, winning Games 1 and 3 by identical 2-0 scores.
Winning goal
Drew Toner’s goal 4:29 into the third period gave the Tigers a 3-1 lead in Game 4. Logan Kelly-Murphy of China Point, P.E.I., and Charles-William assisted on Toner’s game-winning marker.
A big storyline was the Tigers’ penalty killing, which killed off six of seven Caps’ power plays. The Tigers were 1-for-3 with the man advantage.
Both teams have struggled on the power play in the series – the Caps are 2-for-16 in the first four games while the Tigers are 2-for-17.
