He also knows the importance of avoiding lengthy losing streaks and continuing to build confidence.
“It’s important for us to get the wins, but there are going to be valleys and bumps along the way,” reasoned the Capitals’ second-year defenceman from Montague. “We are going to have to keep on battling. Especially, with us being a young team, there are going to be lots of lessons to be learned.”
After opening with a solid 3-1 decision over the Dieppe Commandos on Sept. 8, the Caps dropped three straight – 8-5 at Amherst, 4-1 at Pictou County and 8-3 in Miramichi – to conclude a season-opening four-game road trip. They then countered with back-to-back home wins of 5-2 and 2-1 over the Campbellton Tigers last weekend.
Back home
The Capitals, with nine rookies and six sophomores seeing regular duty, will resume their rebuilding season on Thursday, when the Commandos visit Eastlink Arena. The MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) contest will start at 7 p.m.
“It’s going to be a tough matchup,” analyzed the 18-year-old Annear, who scored a power-play goal and was named the second star of Sunday’s game. “They are a good team, and have lots of speed.”
Standings
Although it’s still early in the regular season, there are important points at stake for both teams. The Caps, who are 3-3 (won-lost), and Commandos (3-4) are tied with six points, and both teams know gaining the possible two points could prove huge down the road.
“We have some good team speed, and they are small and younger too,” offered Caps head coach Billy McGuigan. “It’s going to be a good hockey game.”
Annear added the biggest key for the Capitals is to stick to the team’s systems.
Schedule picking up
After the Caps had two early-season games postponed due to unforeseen developments, the team’s schedule is beginning to pick up. One player who is looking forward to a heavier workload is 18-year-old sophomore goaltender Matt Williams, who McGuigan confirmed will make his third straight start on Thursday.
“You want to be playing as much as you can to get into a rhythm,” said the Halifax, N.S., native after stopping 58 of 61 shots in the two wins over Campbellton. “It is tough when you are practising all week, and only playing one game.”
Twitter.com/JpsportsJason
https://www.facebook.com/jason.simmonds.180
Game Notes
Summerside Western Capitals game notes:
Rookie forward TJ Shea of Tignish leads the Capitals with eight points, including three goals, in six regular-season games. Another freshman, Casey Fox, is second in team scoring with seven points, including four goals.
Fox is not expected to play Thursday. The 17-year-old from Green River, N.B., had to be helped from the ice after he was on the receiving end of a late hit in the third period of Sunday’s game against Campbellton.
Dieppe forward Sam Jay of Freetown is on a three-game point streak. Jay, who is in his second season with the Commandos, has three goals and an assist in his last three games.
Capitals defenceman Jesse Annear has a team-leading two power-play goals.
Goaltender Matt Williams has recorded all three Caps’ wins.
The Capitals are 2-0 (won-lost) at Eastlink Arena.
Capitals forward Kallum Muirhead will serve the final game of a five-game suspension he picked up in Amherst on Sept. 17.
