The Capitals will host the South Shore Lumberjacks in MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) action at Eastlink Arena on Saturday at 7 p.m.
“I think our team speed matches up well against them,” said McGuigan. “I don’t know a lot about them (Lumberjacks) as we haven’t seen them yet this year, but looking at video they are a bigger, physical team.”
Roster
According to the Lumberjacks’ team roster at www.themhl.ca, the Bridgewater, N.S.-based team has 14 players at least six feet, and 10 players 185 pounds or heavier. The Caps have eight players 185 pounds or heavier, and 10 regulars at least six feet tall.
Records
The Lumberjacks took a 4-7-1-0 (won-lost-overtime losses-shootout losses) record into Friday night’s game against the Valley Wildcats (3-9-2-2). The Caps, who are coming off a 3-2 shootout win over Miramichi before close to 1,300 fans at Eastlink Arena last Saturday, are 6-5-0-0.
Assessment
McGuigan said the Caps’ organization is pleased with where the young team is at through the first 11 regular-season contests.
“When you have seven or eight midget players on your team you don’t expect to win every night, but this team is a resilient group,” said McGuigan, who welcomed the week off that allowed the Caps to get in some quality practices. “They work hard every day, and you can never question their effort.”
Every point big
With only five points separating teams two through five in the tight six-team Eastlink North Division going into Friday’s play, McGuigan acknowledges every point is big.
Thus, consistency is a word Caps’ players can expect to hear a lot from the coaching staff.
“We expect a roller-coaster ride, and not only are we seeing it game to game, but we are seeing it period to period at times,” acknowledged McGuigan. “We want to clean that up, and play 60 consistent minutes every night.”
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Upcoming Games
Western Capitals’ upcoming games:
Friday, Oct. 28
7:30 p.m. – Caps at Woodstock.
Saturday, Oct. 29
7 p.m. – Woodstock at Caps.
Friday, Nov. 4
7:30 p.m. – Caps at Campbellton.
Saturday, Nov. 5
7 p.m. – Valley at Caps.
