SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — The Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals started a busy holiday weekend on a winning note Friday night.
But it wasn’t easy, and there were valuable lessons learned, said Caps head coach Billy McGuigan.
The Capitals built period leads of 2-0 and 4-1 before holding on for a 4-3 home-ice victory over the Pictou County Crushers in the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL).
“I liked parts of our game, and I didn’t like other parts,” said McGuigan in a post-game phone interview with The Guardian. “If we want to have success at this level, we have to learn to compete for 60 minutes.
“There were good stretches of the game where we were completely dominant and spent a lot of time in the offensive zone, possessed the puck and made some great plays. There were other times, especially late in the game, we kind (of let up). I think with the inexperience of our team, we coasted along in the third and let them back in the game late.”
The Capitals continue a stretch of three games in four days on Saturday in Berwick, N.S., against the Valley Wildcats (5-9-1). The Caps return home to face the Truro Bearcats (9-9-1) in an Islander Day game on Monday at 2 p.m.
Lucas Parsons of Stratford had a goal and assist in the Bearcats' 7-5 win over the Wildcats Truro, N.S., on Friday night.
Two goals
At Eastlink Arena, team captain Josh MacDonald scored twice to lead the Capitals. Cam Roberts and Chris McQuaid, who netted the game-winning goal, added single markers as the Caps improved to 6-3-1 (won-lost-overtime losses).
Roberts opened the scoring on a highlight-reel goal at 11:02 of the first period. He broke in alone down the left-wing, cut to the centre of the ice and went forehand-to-backhand before sneaking the puck between the left pad and glove of Crushers goaltender Ewan MacDonald.
MacDonald scored power-play goals to give the Caps leads of 2-0 and 3-1. McQuaid’s rocket from the left point beat MacDonald clean high on the glove side to give the Caps a 4-1 lead at 11:12 of the second period.
Jaden Mason scored in the second period for the Crushers (9-8-1). Landon Sim (8:54) and Matt Burden (18:36) scored in the third period to set the stage for an exciting finish.
Shots on goal
Overall, the final shots-on-goal totals were 38-37 in favour of the Capitals. Summerside held a 27-20 shots-on-goal advantage through the first 40 minutes, but the New Glasgow, N.S.-based Crushers outshot the Caps 17-11 in the final frame.
“The important thing about our club is that we have to consistently shut teams down and keep teams off the board,” said McGuigan. “Our mantra is to be a 200-foot team and keep playing the possession game.
“We have some skill, and we are a young team. We have to figure out ways to win. Getting two points is pretty important, and we are happy about that.”
Cole Galata (2), Mark Hillier (2), Cole Edwards (2), McQuaid and Colby MacArthur chipped in with assists for the Capitals.
Jack Morris (2), Sim, Kevin Mason and Cameron Hough collected helpers for the Crushers.
Nathan Torchia earned the goaltending win.
The game’s three stars were:
1. Josh MacDonald (Capitals), 2. Landon Sim (Crushers), 3. Chris McQuaid (Capitals).
Twitter.com/JpsportsJason
