SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — The Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals could not have written a better script.
A big crowd, two evenly-matched teams, scoring chances at both ends, excellent goaltending, a penalty shot late in regulation time and a highlight-reel goal in overtime had fans on the edge of their seats during the Caps’ home opener on Saturday night against the defending Maritime Junior Hockey League champions, Yarmouth Mariners.
“It was a high-intensity game and the fans were into it,” assessed Caps’ 16-year-old rookie defenceman Zach Biggar of Portage. “It was one of the better crowds I have ever seen here.
“It was really fun having that many fans out and they really amped us up for overtime.”
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Biggar combined with fourth-year veteran forwards Kallum Muirhead of Charlottetown and team captain Brodie MacArthur of Summerside to send the 2,014 spectators into a frenzy 3:47 into overtime.
“That was Kallum Muirhead’s great play,” said MacArthur, who netted the game-winning goal from point-blank range on the right wing. “He went down the (right) wing, beat his guy to the net and I knew he was going to be looking for me coming in when he came across.
“He made a perfect pass, right on my stick, and all I had to do was put it in. The goalie was on the other side of the net basically.”
Here’s how Muirhead described the winning goal: “I had speed down the wing and Brodie gave it to me. I didn’t see a shot so I cut to the middle and ended up spinning around and finding him. He didn’t have that many bounces (Saturday), so it was nice to see him get the goal.”
Biggar, who saw lots of ice time and played in all situations in his first regular-season home game with Summerside’s junior A team, also earned an assist on the winning tally.
“I took a shot off my skate and it went right to Muirhead and they went down 2-on-2 and made that spectacular play,” said Biggar. “It was pretty cool to watch.”
Overtime
The 3-on-3 overtime period featured wide-open hockey. Summerside outshot Yarmouth 4-2 and had the better of the scoring chances while improving its record to 5-1-0 (won-lost-overtime losses). Yarmouth fell to 4-1-2.
“It was quite a game for the home opener,” assessed Caps head coach Billy McGuigan as country music blared inside the team’s dressing room. “It was back and forth, they are the defending champs and they are a real good hockey team.
“We were really good in the first period and kind let off the gas a little bit as they came hard in the second and, the third period was back and forth and anyone’s game and it was an unbelievable play by Muirhead to MacArthur.”
The big crowd really got into the game making a lot of noise between the end of the third period and start of overtime. Muirhead agreed with Biggar that the support did not go unnoticed by the players.
“We have to give the fans credit,” said Muirhead. “They are out there screaming and cheering us on. They are a big factor.”
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Penalty shot
The Capitals’ best chance to win the game in the third period came when MacArthur, who carried a heavy workload throughout the game and especially in the third period, was awarded a penalty shot with 4:15 remaining after he was slashed breaking in on Mariners goaltender Justin Sumarah.
“I basically was torn between a couple of moves,” said MacArthur, who went wide left before cutting to his right in an attempt to beat Sumarah on the glove side. “I was trying to get him down and get it up quick, but he got a pad on it.”
The Mariners had chances in the third period as well. Caps goaltender Dominik Tmej made a point-blank save with under two minutes remaining and Yarmouth was unable to finish a 2-on-none break early in the frame.
“We were getting a little more aggressive than we needed to be at that point,” said McGuigan in explaining how the Mariners received some odd-man rushes in the third period. “We were jumping into rushes when we didn’t have to be.”
Overall, McGuigan was happy with the “complete level” shown by the Caps.
“I liked the way we recovered on pucks and made sure we kept getting pucks on the net and I liked our structure,” said McGuigan. “There are always things you can tighten up.
“It’s early in the season and we can always be better, but it was a good solid effort.”
Asked what he wants to see his team do better, McGuigan said coming back a little harder to pucks.
“In the neutral zone we are trying to transition and we need to get more guys back supporting the puck,” continued McGuigan. “It’s the same with our back-check, I want to see five guys on screen back-checking to the house when I’m watching video.”
Game Recap
Recap of game between Western Caps and Yarmouth Mariners:
Final score – Caps 2, Mariners 1.
Scoring – Caps: Josh MacDonald (5:13 of the first period), Brodie MacArthur (3:47 of overtime); Mariners: Matt Barron (19:58 of second period).
Assists – Caps: Kallum Muirhead (2), Theo Citrullo, Zach Biggar; Mariners: Jordan McKenna.
Period scores – The Caps led 1-0 after the opening period and the teams were tied 1-1 at the end of 40 minutes.
Shots on goal – 35-32 Mariners.
Goaltenders – Caps: Dominik Tmej; Mariners: Justin Sumarah.
Penalties – Caps: 4 minors; Mariners: 1 minor.
Power plays – Caps: 0-for-1; Mariners: 0-for-4.
Referees – Nick Hann and Travis Timmons.
Three stars – 1. Dominik Tmej (Caps), 2. Justin Sumarah (Mariners), 3. Brodie MacArthur.
Attendance – 2,014.
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