Western Caps get by Aces in close Game 1

Riley, MacArthur score late for Caps after Aces' go-ahead goal disallowed

Summerside Western Capitals forward Dylan Riley, second right, celebrates his game-winning goal against the St. Stephen Aces at Eastlink Arena on Saturday night. Riley’s teammates, Jacob Arsenault, Conor MacEachern and Sullivan Sparkes, race to congratulate him. In the background are Aces Connor McGregor, 37, of Charlottetown ad Everett Hicks, 25. Riley’s goal with 3:36 remaining in regulation time broke a 1-1 tie, and the Caps went on to win Game 1 of the best-of-seven MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) series 3-1. - Jason Simmonds

SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — It certainly wasn’t easy, but the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals found a way to open the 2019 MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) post-season on a winning note.

Dylan Riley (16:24) and Brodie MacArthur (16:39) scored late third-period goals to give the Caps a 3-1 victory over the St. Stephen Aces before 1,464 fans at Eastlink Arena on Saturday night. The Caps, who were first overall in the 12-team league at 40-8-2 (won-lost-overtime losses), entered this series as heavy favourites after finishing 39 points ahead of the Aces (20-27-3), who got into the playoffs on the final day of the regular season.
Conor MacEachern gave the Caps a 1-0 lead 2:26 into the game, and the Aces’ Nick French tied the game on the power play at 10:17 of the middle frame.

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Disallowed goal
It appeared the Aces had taken a 2-1 lead while short-handed with 12:29 remaining in the third period. The Aces’ Zach Alchorn outraced Caps forward Cameron Roberts and goaltender Dominik Tmej, who came charging out of his net, to a loose puck in the centre of the ice at around the top of the circle.
Alchorn appeared to score from the right wing, but after it was originally ruled a goal the officials – referees Nick Hann and Justin DesRoches along with linesmen Jared MacAdam and Alex Dillon – met in front of the penalty box and the call was reversed. It was announced the puck was kicked into the net.
Each team also reacted like they scored a goal in the first period, but it was ruled both times that the puck did not enter the net.
The final shots-on-goal totals were 31-27 in favour of the Caps. Joey May was between the pipes for St. Stephen.
MacEachern, MacArthur, Shea, Sullivan Sparkes and Jacob Arsenault added assists for the Caps. Andrew Antle earned the lone assist on the St. Stephen goal.
The game’s three stars were:
1. Conor MacEachern (Caps), 2. Brodie MacArthur (Caps), 3. Dominik Tmej (Caps).

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