CAPS ELIMINATED FROM MFMHL PLAYOFFS
The Caps hosted the Westman Wildcats on Friday night at the Portage Centennial Arena for the second game of their best of 3 MFMHL playoff series. Trailing the series one game to none after a tough 5-3 loss in game 1 the Caps were in a do or die situation. The Caps came out and played a solid game and played even with the Wildcats all night with shots on net being 28-27 in favor of the Wildcats. The Caps had some strong territorial play in all 3 periods however could not find a way to generate any goals in losing 5-0 and being eliminated from further league play. Meanwhile the Wildcats made the most of their scoring chances by netting 5 goals on 28 shots. Shay Perry took the loss in net for the Caps.
The Caps continue to play shorthanded as they are still missing their #1 goalie Jacey Schettler and also started this game missing veteran center Assistant Captain Jillene Rodgers before losing another one of their strong 3rd year players Assistant Captain Courtney Nichol in the 2nd period with an injury due to a knee on knee collison. Callan Harland who also carries an "A" on her jersey for the Caps played however was only out of hospital for one day prior to the game and battled hard and was asked to play center instead of wing due to the Caps injury problems. Rodgers is expected to find out in the next 10-12 days if she will be available for Provincials which start in just under 2 weeks. At this time the Caps are unsure of Nichol's injury status and will know more by mid-week.
The positives the Caps can take out these past 2 games is that the team has played hard and not been outplayed. As well the play of 2-3 Bantam AP players has been very good indicating that next year's team has a great filler group coming up. The Coaching staff has been extremely impressed with the speed, skill and tenacity that the Bantam APs have brought to the table when asked to play. At this time they are looking to add 2-3 of these players to their Roster with the team's injury situation for the Provincials which are to be hosted at the new MTS Multi-plex in Headingly from March 18-20.
CAPS LOSE FIRST GAME OF MFMHL PLAYOFFS
The Caps travelled to Hartney Tuesday night to play the Westman Wildcats in the first game of their best of 3 MFMHL playoff series. The Caps actually outscored Westman 3-2 over the last 2 periods of the game however could not overcome a 3-0 deficit caused by 3 power play goals in the last 6 minutes of the first period when the Caps were forced to kill off two 5 on 3 penalty situations on what they thought were some questionable calls.
However the Caps never quit and were actually down 4-0 before mounting a comeback that fell short with the fiinal score ending up @ 5-3. The Caps were pressing hard in the 2nd and 3rd periods and actually had several quality scoring chances as they took the game to the Wildcats only to see near misses and a goal post stop the comeback. Goal scorers for the Caps were Maggie Girard, Jillian Hoggins and Courtlyn Oswald who also picked up an assist. Other helpers went to Kelsey Desilets, Alyson Vercaigne, Taylor McVannel and Jordan Robertson. Shay Perry took the loss in net for the Caps facing 37 shots with many of those happening in the first period when the Caps were shorthanded. The Caps fired 27 shots at the Wildcat net.
The Coaching Staff was extremely please with the Caps effort over the last 2 periods and the first 10 minutes of the 1st period. The players picked up their intensity level and never quit. This is something the team will need to do for an entire 60 minutes this Friday when Game 2 of the series comes to the Centennial Arena with a 7:30 p.m. start time.
