SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — The Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals have taken control of their MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) playoff series.
The Capitals registered a 5-1 road decision over the St. Stephen Aces on Tuesday night to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastlink North Division semifinal. The Caps have an opportunity to take a commanding three-game lead at Eastlink Arena in Summerside on Thursday at 7 p.m. Game 4 will be back in St. Stephen, N.B., on Saturday at 7 p.m.
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After needing two goals with under four minutes remaining in the third period in a 3-1 win in Game 1 on Saturday night, the Caps made sure no late-game heroics were required before 1,003 fans at the Garcelon Civic Centre.
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The Caps led 1-0 after one period, and then outscored the Aces 4-1 in the middle frame, despite being outshot 15-11, to take a 5-1 advantage into the second intermission.
Special teams played a big role for the Caps, who went 3-for-6 on the power play and killed off all six Aces’ man advantages.
Click here for story on Game 1 between Caps and Aces:
Dylan Riley, who netted the winning goal in Game 1, scored twice and assisted on another for a three-point night. Sullivan Sparkes (1-2) also had three points while Kallum Muirhead (1-1) and TJ Shea (1-1) rounded out the Caps’ scoring. Other helpers went to Conor MacEachern and Ryan MacDonald.
Ryan O’Toole was the lone St. Stephen player to beat Caps goaltender Dominik Tmej, who finished with 29 saves. Aces goaltender Joey May stopped 26 of 31 shots.
The game’s three stars were:
1. Sullivan Sparkes (Caps), 2. Kallum Muirhead (Caps), 3. Ryan O’Toole (Aces).
