SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Although there are six points at stake, it’s also a big weekend off the ice for the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals.
The Capitals, who opened the Maritime Junior Hockey League regular season with a 4-0 road win over the Amherst Ramblers on Sept. 14, will play three games in New Brunswick in less than 72 hours.
“The good thing about it is we are going on the road as a team for three days,” said Caps head coach Billy McGuigan. “Obviously, it is not ideal to play three games in three nights, but we will get a real good feel for our hockey club after the weekend.
“Also, the chance to bond and be together as a team is something that is very invaluable. It’s going to be a great couple of days and I’m looking forward to getting on the road with the guys.”
The Caps’ busy stretch begins in Edmundston against the Blizzard on Friday. Summerside then faces the Fredericton Red Wings, who are formerly the St. Stephen Aces, for the first time on Saturday. Sunday, the Caps meet the Grand Falls Rapids in a matinee.
“Edmundston is an unbelievable atmosphere,” said McGuigan. “The rink is just absolutely packed, it’s a great fan base there, it’s a great rink, it’s loud and it’s a real cool atmosphere. For the young guys, it’s going to be a real eye-opening experience and a lot of fun.
“Going into Fredericton, not exactly sure what we are going to see there, but it’s a new franchise and there will be some excitement around that group.”
“Then you have Grand Falls, they get 1,200, 1,400 each game and it’s a smaller rink with another great fan base.”
Team chemistry
Fourth-year Caps defenceman and assistant captain Brodie MacMillan of Stratford, P.E.I., acknowledged it’s a “tough weekend” with a lot of hockey to be played in a short period of time, but noted the extended early-season road trip is great for team chemistry.
“We get to spend a lot of time together and get to know each other really quick,” said MacMillan. “The weather is nice and you can spend some more time outside than during the winter.
“It’s nice to get to know some of the younger guys right off the hop.”
MacMillan noted the team’s leadership group is looking forward to the three days on the road.
“All the leaders on the team try to make sure everyone is together all the time and people aren’t left alone and not involved in everything,” said MacMillan, 20. “We’ve been through it before (playing three games in three days) and can show the young guys it’s not going to be as bad as they may think it’s going to be and help them out in that aspect.”
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Hockey
Hockey-wise, the Caps will look to build on their performance in Amherst.
“I really liked our game Saturday game,” said McGuigan. “We played above the puck, we played smart defensively and we controlled throughout.”
The Caps will close out a stretch of five straight road games in Miramichi against the Timberwolves on Sept. 26 ahead of their home opener at Eastlink Arena against the defending-champion Yarmouth Mariners on Sept. 28 at 7 p.m.
Opposition
A look at Western Caps’ opponents:
Edmundston Blizzard
Friday at 7:30 p.m.
At Jean Daigle Centre:
Edmundston is off to a 1-1-0 (won-lost-overtime losses) start.
Edmundston edged Grand Falls on the road 4-3 on Sept. 13 and dropped its home opener 5-1 to Campbellton on Sept. 15.
Fredericton Red Wings
Saturday at 7 p.m.
At Grant Harvey Centre:
Fredericton split its first two regular-season games on the road last week.
Fredericton lost 3-1 to the Pictou County Crushers on Sept. 12 and shut out the Valley Wildcats 5-0 on Sept. 13.
Fredericton hosts Grand Falls in its home opener Friday night.
Grand Falls Rapids
Sunday at 3 p.m.
At E&P Sénéchal Centre:
Grand Falls is 0-1-0 entering Friday’s play after dropping its home opener to Edmundston.
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