Capitals Open Season with Win

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Monday, September 14th 2009

Caps off to winning start
Offence isn't a problem against Dieppe

SUMMERSIDE
JASON SIMMONDS
The Journal Pioneer

One game does not make a season, but the Summerside Western Capitals are off to a winning start. The Capitals jumped out to a 5-0 lead after one period and led 8-1 after 40 minutes en route to a 10-5 victory over the rebuilding Dieppe Commandos. The Capitals' Maritime Junior 'A' Hockey League regular-season opener attracted 890 fans to Credit Union Place on Sunday. "We started off really well, way better than we expected," said Capitals forward Neil Sherren, who had two goals and two assists in the first period. "I just got the bounces and it just seemed everything went right for me." Rookie Matt Myers scored a hat trick for the Capitals while fellow first-year players Darcy Ashley and Cole MacMillan each contributed two goals. Jason Gallant (1-1) had the other Capitals' marker. The Capitals had 14 players record at least one point. "We have a lot of guys we think can play at this level," said Capitals head coach and associate general manager Gordie Dwyer. "They all came out and were ready to play today." Jean-Marc Leger had three goals and an assist to lead the Commandos (0-2). Josh Carter and Marc Roper added single tallies. Winning goaltender Paul Dorsey made 29 saves. Dieppe starting goaltender Robert Steeves gave up seven goals on 26 shots before being relieved by Mario Babineau, who stopped 20 of 23 shots. The Capitals executed on special teams, too, scoring three power-play goals and twice short-handed. Gallant opened the scoring with a short-handed marker 5:01 into the game, and Myers made it 2-0 at 6:56. Ashley (9:50) and Sherren, with back-to-back goals at 14:01 (short-handed) and 18:57, staked the Capitals to a comfortable five-goal lead. Ashley and MacMillan netted power-play goals at 8:12 and 10:35 of the middle frame to open up a 7-0 lead. Leger got Dieppe on the board at 13:20, and Myers closed out the period's scoring at 13:29. "The guys came out real strong, especially in the first two periods," said Dwyer. "They played hard, showed what kind of a team we're going to be made of this year. It was a good first win." Dwyer said he was really pleased with the Capitals' commitment level. "I liked the way we were prepared to play," said the former NHLer. "The team was ready to go at the start. "It's a work in process and we're just going to take it as Game 1 and build off it." The Caps had nine rookies dressed. "It's actually really great for us," said the 19-year-old Sherren, who's from Charlottetown and is in his second season with the Caps. "We have a lot of young kids and to give them confidence in this league is just great."