SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — It was a six-point weekend for the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals in the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL).
The Capitals downed the Truro Bearcats 5-2 in an Islander Day matinee on Monday to sweep three games over four days. The Caps outscored their opposition 13-6 in those three games.
“The circumstances we are under here is a big challenge,” said Capitals head coach Billy McGuigan, who is the lone staff member currently with the Caps as the team is under work-isolation rules due to COVID-19 since they are permitted to travel to Nova Scotia to play games. “I’m really proud of the boys.”
The Capitals, who defeated the visiting Pictou County Crushers 4-3 on Friday night and posted a 4-1 road win over the Valley Wildcats on Saturday, improved to 8-3-2 (won-lost-overtime losses).
After losing three games to the Amherst Ramblers over six days the first week of February, the Caps have now won four straight games, including a 5-3 win over the Wildcats on Feb. 6.
“We had a good week in practice with Billy, knew what our plan was and came out and executed,” said Caps’ sophomore forward Colby MacArthur, who was a key contributor in Monday’s win.
MacArthur, who had a goal and two assists, played on a line with Luke Strickland and team captain Josh MacDonald. The trio combined for nine points. Strick had two goals and an assist while MacDonald collected three helpers.
“We are getting depth in scoring; that’s what you need in this league,” said McGuigan. “There is a lot of parity and a lot of good teams.
“If you can get contributions from different players, then you are not depending on one line each night, and it’s a group effort.”
MacArthur, a Summerside native, said “all that matters” is that the Caps got the win. When pressed about his line’s success, MacArthur credited strong communication.
“After every shift, we were talking on the bench and communicating,” said MacArthur, 19. “You could see the chemistry coming.”
Marc Richard and Marc Hillier also scored for the Capitals. Justin Ertel, Nick Reeves, Cole Galata and Will Proud earned single assists to round out the balanced Caps’ attack.
“Marc Richard is also providing a good bit of offence,” said McGuigan. “The thing I like about Marc Richard is it doesn't matter who he plays with; he always brings the same attitude and the same effort.”
Tristan Therrien scored both goals for the Bearcats (10-10-1).
Nathan Torchia capped a busy weekend in goal for the Caps with a 35-save performance against the Bearcats. Torchia allowed six goals while playing every minute of all three games over the weekend.
“He was excellent,” said McGuigan.
Torchia played all three games because his goaltending partner, Jacob LeBlanc, was injured in practice last week.
Referees Tanner Doiron and Corey Hayne called a total of eight minor penalties – four against each team. Both teams had identical 1-for-4 summaries on the power play.
The game’s three stars were:
1. Luke Strickland (Caps), 2. Colby MacArthur (Caps), 3. Josh MacDonald (Caps).
Finish strong
After expressing concern with how the Caps were finishing games following Friday’s win, McGuigan liked how his players responded against Valley and Truro.
“On Saturday in the Valley, we talked about the third period being our best period," said McGuigan. "I thought we were outstanding and on another level.
"(Monday), we were in control of the game, and I thought we had a pretty good third period.
We are getting better in that aspect, and we are doing a lot of the right things.
"We are getting better as a team, we are moving forward, and I’m happy with the group.”
The Capitals are on the road this weekend. Summerside travels to Bridgewater, N.S., on Friday evening to take on the South Shore Lumberjacks (3-16-0), before taking on the Yarmouth Mariners (14-4-0) on Saturday night.
The Caps begin a five-game homestand on Feb. 27 against Yarmouth at 7 p.m.
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