SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Two members of the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals have been recognized for their strong play recently.
Forward Carson MacKinnon was named the Maritime Junior Hockey League’s (MHL) Gongshow first star of the month for February and March on Monday while goaltender Dominik Tmej was announced as the third star. Truro Bearcats forward Ben Higgins took second-star honours.
Playoffs
The Capitals, who were the No. 2-ranked team in the final Canadian Junior Hockey League rankings released last week, will open the 2020 Canadian Tire Cup playoffs at Eastlink Arena on Saturday at 7 p.m.
The first-place Capitals, who finished the regular season 42-7-3 (won-lost-overtime losses), will face the fourth-place Fredericton Red Wings (28-19-5) in the best-of-seven Eastlink North Division semifinal series.
MacKinnon
MacKinnon, a 20-year-old from Summerside, had a league-leading 2.3 points per game over the final six weeks of the 2019-20 regular season.
In just 10 games, MacKinnon had a league-best 13 goals to go with 10 assists as the Capitals clinched the top overall record in the league.
MacKinnon is yet to be held off the scoresheet in his 16-game MHL career.
Tmej
The 20-year-old Tmej, who is from Bradenton, FL., played in just six games and made the absolute most of his time between the pipes.
Tmej posted a 5-1-0 (won-lost-overtime losses) record while posting a 1.81 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage. He also recorded two shutouts during this time.
Higgins
Higgins led the MHL with 25 points since Feb. 1 to help send the Bearcats back to the Canadian Tire Cup playoffs for a 23rd consecutive season.
The Truro, N.S., native posted 12 goals, five of which were on the powerplay, to go with 13 assists in 15 games.
- RELATED:
- Click here for story on Western Capitals concluding MHL regular season Saturday night:
- Click here for story on Friday's game between the Western Capitals and Campbellton Tigers:
- Click here for Joe MacIntyre's Hot Corner column reflecting on Western Capitals' regular season:
- Click here for story on latest Canadian Junior Hockey League rankings:
