Caps lose last game prior to start of regular season
On Sunday Sept. 26 the Caps played host to the top team from last season in the WMHA and came out on the wrong end of a 4-1 score. The game was a very competitive contest with the score not indicating how well the Coaching staff felt the team played. The Caps outshot the Titans 36-30 and outchanced them in quality scoring opportunities 11-9 missing out on 4 breakaways as part of that stat. The Titans also scored 3 of their 4 goals on Power Plays. The Caps were denied by good goaltending and some bad luck around the net as numerous pucks rolled just wide of the net.
Stephanie Fehr scored the lone marker for the Caps with Kali Irwin picking up the assist. In net rookie Shalynn Perry was solid making several very good saves and only allowing one goal that was questionable. So far Perry has shown in Pre-season she is capable of playing at this level.
The Caps are off until Wednesday when they have dryland and then practice on Thursday prior to opening the season on Sunday October 3 @ the PCU Centre vs. Brandon Wheatkings - game Time is 1:15 pm.
Stephanie Fehr scores lone marker in 4-1 loss to Winnipeg Titans
Caps Defeat Chiefs in Exhibition Rematch
The Caps traveled to Shoal Lake on Saturday Sept. 25 for the return game with the Chiefs. It was the second game of a home and home exhibition set between the 2 clubs with the first ending in a 1-1 deadlock. The game was again extremely close with momentum shifts happening throughout the contest. Unlike the first game where the two teams appeared to prefer playing a defensive style this game was an end to end affair that saw each team fire 36 shots on net.
Both Jacey Schettler for the Caps and Chief's netminder Abby Cathcart were strong in goal making several huge saves to keep the score low. Courtney Nichol was the only Cap to beat Cathcart as she netted a pair. Assists went to Taylor McVannel, Callan Harland and Maggie Girard with 2. The lone marker for the Chiefs was scored by Mirah Graham with assists going to Tirra Lemoine and Aalyia Clark.
The Coaching staff was pleased with the team's effort as the Caps were missing Lindsay Blight who is Regina @ an Invitation Tournament with Team Manitoba as part of the Hockey Manitoba Under 18 POE evaluation process for the 2011 Canada Winter games as well Rookie D Breanna Murner who still nursing a sore knee. As well a couple of players were playing without being 100% as a bug has gone through the team.
The Caps have one exhibition game left prior to starting the MFMHL and tournament season, Sunday Sept. 26 @ 4:00 p.m. in Portage at the PCU Centre Arena #2 they host the Winnipeg Titans.
Courtney Nichol scores 2 goals vs. Yellowhead.
Caps vs. Yellowhead Pre-season Game
The Caps welcomed MFMHL rivals Yellowhead Chiefs to the PCU Centre in Portage la Prairie on Sunday Sept. 19. The 2 teams have a strong history of playing very competitive close games vs. each other and it was no different Sunday afternoon as they battled to a 1-1 tie.
The game was very evenly played with the Caps having their best period in the 3rd when they were able to score their lone marker to tie the contest. Alyson Vercaigne scored with 5:30 remaining in the game on assists from Jillen Rodgers and Taylor McVannel. Yellowhead had taken a 1-0 lead into the second intermission after Lacy Magnowski scored on a long shot that rookie netminder Shalynn Perry misplayed, assists went to Sasha Lemoine and Alleah McKague on the goal.
Perry had just entered the game as returning goalie Jacey Schettler started and shutout Yellowhead for 30 plus minutes. After the goal Perry settled in and made several very good saves in the remaining 30 minutes. Both goalies for the Caps looked good although neither was over worked as Yellowhead took 18 shots on goal. Abby Cathcart played the entire game in goal for Yellowhead and faced a similar amount of shots. The teams were both playing their first game of the pre-season and the pace was good although the play became scrambly at times especially towards the end of the first and second periods.
Caps next game action is a return trip to Shoal Lake to play Yellowhead prior to the season starting on Saturday Sept. 25 @ 6:00 p.m.
For pictures, video and interviews from yesterdays game go to Portage Online:
http://www.portageonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19069&Itemid=467
