Capitals bounce back to win

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Monday, November 23rd 2009

Caps bounce back

JASON SIMMONDS
The Journal Pioneer

SUMMERSIDE — The Summerside Western Capitals bounced back Sunday afternoon.
Less than 48 hours after allowing two goals in the final two minutes of the third period in a 6-5 loss in Bridgewater on Friday night, the Capitals posted a 4-1 victory over the Yarmouth Mariners in a Maritime Junior ‘A’ Hockey League contest.
“The score on Friday night wasn’t really indicative of the score,” said Caps head coach Gordie Dwyer. “The group seems like it is playing with a lot more energy, and today it was a good team effort by everybody.”
The Capitals improved to 13-10-0-0 (won-lost-overtime losses-shootout losses), and moved into a second-place tie with Miramichi (13-8-0-0) in the Roger Meek Division.

Hat trick
Before 633 fans, Capitals forward Chad Earle capped a hat trick into an empty net with 19 seconds left. Earle improved his season total to 15.
“Chad is a guy who has an offensive element, and is one of the fastest players in the league,” said Dwyer. “When he’s clicking offensively, obviously it helps our team.”
Nathan DesRoches also scored for the Capitals, who received assists from Robert McEwan (2), Trevor Carmichael and Harrison McIver.
Brandon McDonald, assisted by Ryan Nickerson and Mitch Kerr, netted the lone goal for Yarmouth (8-11-1-1).
The teams were tied 1-1 after the first period and DesRoches scored what proved to be the winning goal at 16:01 of the middle frame. Earle made it 3-1 32 seconds later to send the Caps into the second intermission with a two-goal lead.
Overall, the Capitals outshot the Mariners 51-21, including period advantages of 18-9, 13-5 and 20-7.
“We knew they had a hard road coming in here, and it’s a long trip for them,” said Dwyer. “The team came out and played a smart hockey game.”
Rookie Jared Kelly earned the goaltending victory over Justin Collier. Two of Kelly’s biggest saves came off two point-blank shots in the final minute of the second period to prevent Yarmouth from closing to within one goal after two periods.
“Those saves were huge,” said Dwyer. “He wasn’t overly busy, but for a guy who hasn’t played every day, he gave us a chance to win and was excellent.”
The game’s three stars were:
1. Chad Earle (Caps), 2. Robert McEwan (Caps), 3. Justin Collier (Mariners).

Taking time
Dwyer confirmed veteran defenceman Daniel Whelan is taking some time to decide his future. Whelan has 25 points, including 23 assists in 21 games.
“Dan Whelan has been with the organization for five years, and he’s taking some personal time away from the team right now,” said Dwyer. “We’ll reassess things within the next few weeks.”

jpsports@journalpioneer.com