Caps fall just short to T-Wolves

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Tuesday, January 19th 2010

JASON SIMMONDS
The Journal Pioneer
SUMMERSIDE - Patience paid off for the Miramichi Timberwolves on Sunday.
After continuously being denied by Capitals goaltender Alexander Micalef over the last half of the game, Matt Milson eventually scored the game-winning goal in the seventh round of the shootout to give the Timberwolves a 6-5 victory.
"We played well for most of the game," said Timberwolves forward Nathan McQuaid, who scored a natural hat trick over a 4:07 span in the second period to open up a 5-2 lead. "At the end of the day we got the two points, but it's kind of unfortunate we gave them the extra point."
The Timberwolves (23-13-0-0) now hold a nine-point lead over the Capitals (18-14-0-1) for second place in the Roger Meek Division of the Maritime Junior 'A' Hockey League.
Before 870 fans at Credit Union Place, McQuaid, a 19-year-old from Tracadie Cross, credited his linemates, Milson and Jesse MacIntyre of Mill River, for his offensive explosion.
"The 'Green Line' was going and they did most of the work," said McQuaid, who added the team wears green jerseys in practice. "I was just fortunate to put the puck in the back of the net."
Chris Owens (1-2) and Kyle Lampenskie (1-1) also scored during regulation time for Miramichi. MacIntyre and fellow Islander Randy Taylor added single assists.
After Jason Cameron scored a short-handed goal four minutes into the third period to cut Miramichi's lead to 5-3, Harrison McIver (14:08) and Trevor Carmichael (17:39) struck for power-play goals to pull the Caps even.
Both teams had their chances to win the game in the five-minute overtime period and failed to capitalize on odd-man rushes. Each team had three shots in extra time.
Micalef, who took over at 10:21 of the second period after starter Paul Dorsey gave up five goals on 17 shots, calmly stopped all 19 shots he faced in regulation and overtime. He then stopped five of seven shots in the shootout.
"He (Micalef) played really well and we just tried to stay calm," said McQuaid.
Miramichi goaltender Chris Holden finished with 33 saves. Chad Earle was the lone Capital to score in the shootout. Lampenskie also scored to keep Miramichi alive in the shootout.
Will Johnston and Jason Gallant also scored for the Capitals. Earle (3), Spencer MacDonald (2), Cole MacMillan (2) and Lance Pridham had helpers.
Overall, the Caps held a 38-36 shots-on-goal advantage, thanks to a 16-12 advantage in the third period.
Referee Wayne Doyle called 10 minors against Miramichi while the Caps were whistled for eight minors, one high-sticking major and two game misconducts.
The game's three stars were:
1. Nathan McQuaid (Timberwolves), 2. Cole MacMillan (Capitals), 3. Chris Owens (Timberwolves).

jpsports@journalpioneer.com