ST. STEPHEN, N.B. – The Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals took control early, and never looked back.
The Capitals, who improved to 7-2-0 (won-lost-overtime losses), built a 3-0 lead by the 15:18 mark of the first period, and went on to post a 6-2 victory over the St. Stephen Aces (4-5-1) on Friday night.
It was the Caps’ sixth straight win in the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League), and opened up a three-point lead over the Edmundston Blizzard (5-4-1), who dropped a 2-1 overtime decision to the Truro Bearcats (7-3-0) on Friday night. The Capitals have an opportunity to widen that lead over the Blizzard on Saturday, when Edmundston visits Eastlink Arena for a 7 p.m. faceoff.
At the Garcelon Civic Centre, team captain TJ Shea netted a hat trick and added a helper for a four-point night to pace the Caps offensively. Recently-acquired defenceman Conor MacEachern scored his first two goals as a Western Capital while Kallum Muirhead was credited with a goal and an assist. Brodie MacArthur (2), Noah Massie and Cam Roberts chipped in with other assists.
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Leighton Holstein and Liam Smith replied for the Aces, who trailed 3-0 after one period and 4-1 following 40 minutes.
Daniel Thompson earned the goaltending win with a 24-save effort. Joey May faced 24 shots in the St. Stephen goal.
Capitals head coach Billy McGuigan following Friday night’s game that defencemen Hunter Bradley and Ed McNeill have returned to the Charlottetown Bulk Carriers Pride while forwards Colby MacArthur and Bennett MacArthur have rejoined the Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild. The Pride and Wild play in the New Brunswick/P.E.I. Major Midget Hockey League.
