SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — The Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals picked up a big road win, and third-year forward Brodie MacArthur reached a milestone on Friday night.
The Capitals, who clinched the Eastlink North Division’s regular-season title with a 6-4 win over the Grand Falls Rapids on home ice Thursday evening, defeated the Miramichi Timberwolves 7-2 while MacArthur had a goal and two assists to pass the 100-point mark. The Summerside native, who is the runaway leader in the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) scoring race, now has 101 points in 38 regular-season games on the strength of 38 goals and 63 assists. He holds a 31-point lead over the Grand Falls Rapids’ Jean-Simon Belanger, who has 32 goals and 38 assists for 70 points.
The win improved the Caps’ record to 36-8-2 (won-lost-overtime losses), and maintained a four-point lead over the Eastlink South Division-leading Yarmouth Mariners (33-8-4) in the overall standings. Yarmouth defeated the Truro Bearcats (23-19-5) 7-2 on Friday night, and visits the Amherst Ramblers (32-11-3) on Saturday night. The Caps have four regular-season games remaining, and the Mariners have five.
Click here for story on Thursday's game between the Caps and Grand Falls:
Before 1,090 fans at the Miramichi Civic Centre, Jacob Hickey (1-1), Dylan Riley (1-1), Kallum Muirhead (1-1), Brodie MacMillan, Cedric Chenier and Marc Richard also scored for the Capitals. Sullivan Sparkes (2), Kayden Peck (2) and Kyle Nichol contributed assists.
Jason Imbeault, Zach Manuel and Stewart Bagnell countered for the Timberwolves (17-25-2), who trail the St. Stephen Aces (17-24-3) by one point in the race for fourth and final playoff spot in the North Division that will determine the Caps’ first-round opponent.
The Caps led 2-1 after the opening period, and extended that margin to 4-1 following 40 minutes.
Winning goaltender Dominik Tmej stopped 33 of 35 shots.
The game’s three stars were:
1. Brodie MacArthur (Caps), 2. Sullivan Sparkes (Caps), 3. Kallum Muirhead (Caps).
The Caps are back in action on Thursday, when the Edmundston Blizzard (22-16-6) visit Eastlink Arena for a 7 p.m. faceoff.
