The Capitals open round-robin play in the 2011 Fred Page Cup Eastern Canadian junior A hockey championship against the host Terrebonne Cobras at 8:30 p.m. AT.
"You want to win the first one," said Capitals forward and captain Harrison McIver. "We're not underestimating anyone.
"They've (Cobras) known they are hosting the Fred Page Cup for over two years, so they have put together a good team."
Ontario's Pembroke Lumber Kings, champions of the Central Canada Junior Hockey League, and College Francais de Longueuil, winners of the Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League, round out the four-team field.
"There's going to be two good teams from Quebec, and they probably have a bunch of guys who played in the Q, and played a lot of good hockey in their careers on those teams," said Capitals defenceman Rob McEwan. "It's going to be a challenge. . .
"Ontario always has a good junior A system, so they will have a good team coming as well."
Format
The first-place team after round-robin play advances directly to Sunday's final at 4 p.m. The second- and third-place teams will meet in a semifinal game Saturday, also at 4 p.m. The winning team will advance to the RBC Cup national championship in Camrose, Alta., from April 30 to May 8.
"We just need to have all lines firing and everyone on the same page," said Capitals forward Brandon MacLean.
The Capitals went 12-3 (won-lost) en route to winning their second MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) Kent Cup in three years.
"We are pretty proud of our (post-season) record, and we feel anything is possible going there," added MacLean.
Second appearance
The Caps will be appearing in their second Fred Page Cup in three years, and third since joining the MHL. Their other appearance came in 1997 in Brockville, Ont.
Nine Capitals, including McIver, were part of the team that won the 2009 tournament in Moncton, N.B. What can those players take from that experience?
"There's going to be two good teams from Quebec, and they probably have a bunch of guys who played in the Q, and played a lot of good hockey in their careers on those teams. It's going to be a challenge. . . Ontario always has a good junior A system, so they will have a good team coming as well." - Capitals defenceman Rob McEwan
"It's all about preparation," answered McIver before a recent practice. "We're taking care of that, and once we get into game play - the increase in speed and intensity - we'll be able to pass along some lessons then."
Tonight's opponent
The Cobras earned 70 points in 49 games on the strength of a 32-14-1 (won-lost-overtime losses) record. The Joliette Traffic eliminated the Cobras in the league quarter-finals.
"We just have to keep doing what we've been doing," said McIver. "We have to be a little bit more consistent than we have been in the playoffs.
"I know we have a good (post-season) record, but we have to play a full 60 minutes. Any letdowns against teams of that high calibre, they will make us pay."
One adjustment the Caps, who had a league-high 1,701 penalty minutes in 52 regular-season games, may face playing in an unfamiliar province is how the game is officiated.
"We are a physical team, and the officiating may not be used to our style of play, and that may be something we have to adapt to," said McEwan. "We do have tons of skill, and we just need to find our game, figure out how to use that skill against the other teams and use our toughness within reason."
jpsports@journalpioneer.com
When They Play
Western Capitals' Fred Page Cup schedule:
Today
8:30 p.m. - vs. Terrebonne Cobras (host team).
Thursday
4 p.m. - vs. Pembroke Lumber Kings (Central Canada Junior Hockey League).
Friday
4 p.m. - vs. College Francais de Longueuil (Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League).
Note: All times AT.
I purchased the game tonight on Fasthockey.ca. The video was taken from too far from the ice. You could see the rink rafters. No play-by-play. Not really worth $7 in my opinion. It was certainly better than nothing and the cable was out so it was the only thing on my TV. The games in New Glasgow were much better.