Shorthanded Caps go 0-5 at tough Westman Fall Classic
Playing with only 12 and 13 players against the best competition in Manitoba and Western Canada the Caps showed they could compete.

The Caps opened the tournament with a tough 3-1 loss to the Defending Under 18 National Champion Westman WildCats. The Game was tied 1-1 through 2 and 1/2 periods before the WildCats scored 2 goals in a 3 minute span. The Caps then fired everything they had at the WildCat net having constant pressure in the offensive end for the final 5 minutes of the game. The Caps led 1-0 on a goal from Courtney Nichol with assists going to Callan Harland and Maggie Girard.

In the Second game the Caps fell 9-4 to a high powered team from Warner Alberta which had 3 under 18 National Team players and several European players. The Caps trailed only 2-1 after the first and had 2 great chances in the last minute to tie the game. In the second period Warner (a Hockey Academy) opened up a 6-2 lead. The third period saw the Caps battle back to 6-4 however a 5 minute major and 4 minute double minor penalty allowed the Warner team to score on the power play to secure the win.

Jacey Schettler started both games in net for the Caps and was solid in both games facing 29 in the first and 45 in the second where she made several spectacular saves to keep it close until the third.

The Caps replied with 26 in the first game however had numerous great scoring chances where they just missed the net or hit a post. In the second game they only managed 18 shots on the Warner yet.
Goal Scorers in the second game were Natasha Kostenko, Maggie Girard, Jillene Rodgers and Callan Harland with assists going to Dakotah Boehlig and Maggie Girard.

The Third game saw the Caps Fall to MFMHL 2009 Champs Pembina Valley 6-4 after leading 2-0 at one point in the game. Dakotah Boehlig, Maggie Girard, Taylor McVannel and Alyson Vercaigne scored for the Caps with Jillene Rodgers picking up 2 helpers while assists also went to Courtney Nichol, Callan Harland and Kelsey Desilets. Jacey Schettler made her 3rd straight start as the Caps were down to one goalie with Jessica Hewko being injured. She faced 29 shots while the Caps outshot Pembina Valley firing 33 at the net.

The 4th game was an exciting contest although the Caps were on the wrong side of a 5-2 score against a tough Eastman Team that many think might be the Best in Manitoba this season. The Caps again outshot their opposition 37 to 34 but were unable to cash on numerous very good scoring chances. Jacey Schettler was again solid in the net however playing 4 games in 2 days had an effect on the entire team skating with a limited roster. Taylor McVannel and Natasha Kostenko scored for the Caps while Lindsay Blight and Jennifer Bell picked up assists.

In the Final game of the weekend, their 5th game in 3 days, the Caps again played Pembina Valley and lost a tough 4-3 contest while outshooting PV by a 33 to 24 margin with only 12 skaters.

Goal scorers for the Caps were McVannel, Kostenko and Nichol while Girard had 2 assists Stephanie Fehr, Rodgers and Vercaigne added single helpers. Schettler continued her solid play in net as the Caps pressed for the equalizer and she had to come up with some big saves as the Game opened up.

The Coaching staff was pleased with the team's effort against such high powered competition for the first time and hopes to see the team improve from this experience throughout the season.

The Caps were shorthanded missing the services of their top offensive defenseman, Shaye Nelissen (injured), defenseman Jenna Cyrenne (injured) and Centre Nikki Bell plus her sister defenseman Jennifer Bell on the last day (prior commitment).