Dupuis delivers clutch saves

Stay Tuned!

Photos
Videos
Poll

View Complete Photo Galleries

Corcoran's OT Winner

Brett Gallant vs. Graham Telford

View our Video Collection

Monday, April 6th 2009

Dupuis delivers clutch saves

SUMMERSIDE
JASON SIMMONDS
The Journal Pioneer

Alex Dupuis continued to provide the Summerside Western Capitals with rock-solid goaltending in the Maritime Junior 'A' Hockey League playoffs Sunday night.
Dupuis posted a 20-save shutout as the Caps downed the Truro Bearcats 3-0 in the opening game of the best-of-seven Kent Cup final.
"This is a huge win," said Dupuis. "You never want to start behind the 8-ball."
Dupuis certainly wasn't overworked, but he was more than equal to the challenge when tested.
"Alex Dupuis, all year long, has made the big save when we needed it," said Capitals head coach Kenny MacDougall. "That's a credit to his focus and concentration. There were times when he didn't get a whole lot of action, but he stayed in the game."
Dupuis made a point-blank save off Truro sniper Jon Reid halfway through the first period, and he delivered a highlight-reel glove save in the second period near the end of a Truro power play.
Just seconds after the Caps almost made it 3-0, Dupuis took what looked like a sure goal away from Reid by getting his trapper on an attempted deke to his left on the short side.
"There was a 2-on-0 down low and I figured he'd go for the short pass," said Dupuis. "Usually those are hard to save and I went for it.
"He fooled me, but I was able to get back in time and make the glove save and our defenceman cleared it."
Then, just over four minutes into the third period, Dupuis came across the crease to his left to deny Steve Pearson's one-timer.
"I got a good read and knew the guy was there," said Dupuis. "I anticipated it and he shot it right at me."
MacDougall agreed Dupuis' second save off Reid was a key turning point.
"The stop when it was 2-0 on the 2-on-0 was outstanding and gave us life," added MacDougall.
Dupuis faced five shots in the first period, seven in the middle frame and eight in the final 20 minutes.
"It's been like that all year," said Dupuis. "If you look at most of our games, we've given up 25, 30 shots maybe. It was a little less than usual, but not many."