The Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals are excited to be preparing to play meaningful games once again.
The Capitals, who ran away with the 2019-20 Maritime Junior Hockey League regular-season title with a 42-7-3 (won-lost-overtime losses) record, are scheduled to open the Canadian Tire Cup playoffs on home ice at Eastlink Arena on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Caps will take on the Fredericton Red Wings (28-19-4) in the best-of-seven Eastlink North Division semifinal series.
“Ever since I have been here this is what I’ve been looking forward to,” said forward Carson MacKinnon, who joined the Caps on Jan. 10 after playing 4 ½ seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. “It’s going to be a fun time.
“At the same time, we are not going to look too far ahead, take it game by game and hopefully get the results we want.”
Capitals head coach Billy McGuigan said before Tuesday afternoon’s practice that he was pleased with his team’s focus in what were basically five meaningless games to close out the regular season. The Caps clinched first overall with a 4-3 shootout win over the Edmundston Blizzard on Feb. 20. The Blizzard (34-9-9) finished second overall, 10 points behind the Caps, and will take on the Campbellton Tigers (29-18-5) in the other division semifinal.
“We tried to create good habits, tried to keep focused and keep on with the progression we had from the first of the season,” said McGuigan. “Going forward, we are feeling good about ourselves.
“We are in good shape and (strength and conditioning coach) Joe Borden has us in fantastic shape. He has been excellent with the guys. They are physically fit and sharp and they are ready to go.
“Having clinched for so long, we have been waiting to get the playoffs going. The time is here now.”
The opportunity to pursue a championship with his hometown team is one of the reasons MacKinnon decided to join the Capitals.
MacKinnon will be one of the players the Caps look to offensively after he recorded 37 points, including 23 goals, in 16 games. He has played primarily on a line with Brodie MacArthur (45-63—108) and Kallum Muirhead (36-66—102), the top two point-getters in the 12-team league.
“It was a long process to get me home,” said the 20-year-old son of John and Mona MacKinnon. “Finally, being home and getting the playoff season started, which we are all looking forward to, is definitely an exciting time for me.
“You can feel the buzz around the room, the buzz around the city. It’s going to be fun to get things going on Saturday.”
Schedule for Western Capitals’ playoff series vs. Fredericton:
(All games start at 7 p.m.)
Game 1
Saturday, March 14 – Fredericton at Summerside.
Game 2
Monday, March 16 – Summerside at Fredericton.
Game 3
Wednesday, March 18 – Fredericton at Summerside.
Game 4
Friday, March 20 – Summerside at Fredericton.
Game 5, if necessary
Saturday, March 21 – Fredericton at Summerside.
Game 6, if necessary
Monday, March 23 – Summerside at Fredericton.
Game 7, if necessary
Wednesday, March 25 – Fredericton at Summerside.
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