CAPS ARE MFMHL CHAMPIONS
The Caps played host to the final game of their best of 5 MFMHL Championship series vs. a hard working and talented Yellowhead Chiefs team and skated away with a 3-0 win and the MFMHL Championship. Behind goals from Leandra Timmerman, Chelsea Hallson and Mekeaka Fisher plus the shutout goaltending of Lauren Taraschuk the Caps have earned the MFMHL Championship for the first time in their history along with right to play in the 2015 Hockey Canada Esso Cup MIdget National Championship in Red Deer Alberta commencing April 19th.
The Caps controlled most of the first period outshooting the Chiefs 11-3 but could not find the back of the net. The Chiefs would respond with a push in the second period but the Caps would weather the storm and with 3:36 left in the period on the powerplay Leandra Timmerman would send a point shot past Chiefs goalie Miranda Cook to send the Caps into the intermission with a 1-0 lead, Emily Upgang and Tamara McVannel picked up assists on the play.
The two teams would continue to battle hard in the third period with the Caps finally getting an insurance goal again on the powerplay when Chelsea Hallson banged in a rebound after her linemates Haley Proteau and Kelly-Rae Zdan worked to get the puck to the net with just over 6 minutes remaining in the game . The Chiefs would continue to battle and pulled their goaltender with 2:00 mimutes remaining in the game and attempted to get a point shot through that Mekaela Fisher block and chased down to put into the empty net to secure the Caps victory.
The coaching staff felt the Caps played one of their most complete games of the series and now look forward to preparing for the Esso Cup National Champinship. The Capitals organization wants to congratulate Yellowhead on a tremendous season along with the entire MFMHL for one of the most competitive season in the history of the league and looks forward to representing the MFMHL and Hockey Manitoba at the Esso Cup.
CAPS CAN'T CLOSE OUT SERIES
The Caps traveled to Shoal Lake Thursday night with a chance to win the MFMHL Championship however could not get the job done against a determined Yellowhead Team losing 4-1. The game itself was a back and forth contest that saw the Chiefs take a first period lead on a defensive zone breakdown that allowed the Chiefs to get a shot off from the slot uncontested,
The Caps would regroup to start the second period and carried the play earning a power play that led to a goal by Emily Upgang as she banged in a shot from the slot with Sheridan Oswald and Mekaela Fisher picking up assists even the score at 1-1. The Caps would take the play to the Chiefs over the next 6 to 7 minutes however could not find the second goal, The Chiefs would make the most of their chances scoring on their first shot in over 5 minutes making it 2-1. The Chiefs would add a controversial third goal before the second period that appeared to go in after the whistle however it was indicated as a goal and stood up sending the Caps into the intermission trailing 3-1.
The Caps came out and played a solid third period carrying the play territorially for large portions of time however could not convert this into goals and finally with the net empty the Chiefs would secure the win with an empty net goal. The Caps would outshoot the Chiefs 29 to 21 and had some quality chances but still need to get the puck to the net more. The series now goes to Game 5 on Sunday March 29 at the PCU Centre in Portage la Prairie with a trip to the Esso Cup National Championships on the line- Game Time is set for 5:30
CAPS TAKE GAME 3
The Caps played host to the Yellowhead Chiefs in game 3 of the MFMHL Final Series on Monday March 23 at the PCU Centre in Portage and came away with a tense hard fought 1-0 win to take a 2-1 lead in the series. Like almost every game between these 2 teams the game was not decided until the final whistle. The Caps scored the lone marker of the game with 9 minutes remaining in the first period when Sarah Thomson took a feed from Chelsea Hallson and the rookie D scored just her second goal of the season when her point shot was deflected by a Chiefs forward trying to block it and went up in the air and past a screened Chiefs netminder. THe Caps controlled the first period and had several quality chances to extend their lead but some good goaltending and missed opportunities kept the score at 1-0. A huge point in the game came late in the first period when the Caps were able to kill off a 5 on 3 power play for the Chiefs that was well over a minute long.
The second period saw the game even out as the Chiefs pushed back and both teams had some chances but could not figure out either teams' goalie. The third period saw the Caps sit back a little to much however solid goaltending from Lauren Taraschuk kept the Chiefs off the score sheet. The Caps did a good job limiting scoring chances only allowing 17 shots but Taraschuk was called on to make several key saves. With the net empty the Caps had a couple of chances to pick up a security goal but could not find the back of the empty net leading to the 1-0 final score.
The Caps coaches were again pleased with the teams compete level however will look to tweek a few items on Tuesday night when the team has a light skate.
The Caps now travel to Shoal Lake for game 4 of the best of 5 final series on Thursday March 26 - Game Time 7:30
CAPS EVEN MFMHL FINAL SERIES
The Caps facing what many might call a must win situation travelled to Shoal Lake on Saturday March 21 and came away with a huge win to even the best of 5 MFMHL Final at 1-1. Behind a solid performance in net by Kathleen Kosior who stopped 23 of 24 shots fired her way to earn her first playoff win after a layoff from play and single markers from Chelsea Hallson and Sheridan Oswald the Caps picked up a very tough 2-1 road win. The teams came out and played a very tight checking first period similar to the first game of the series with few shots on net or scoring chances however with 3:17 left in the period Chelsea Hallson forced a turnover in the offensive zone along the boards and skated through a seam to the slot where she let a shot go that beat the Chiefs netminder clean for a 1-0 intermission lead.
The Chiefs would respond to tie the game on the power play as they got a shot away from the slot that beat Kosior after a tired group of Caps penalty killers who were forced to try and kill off back to back advantages for the Chiefs including a short 5 on 3 could not keep the Chiefs shooter to the outside. The Caps responded before the end of the period with a nice 3 way passing play between Sheridan Oswald, Emily Upgang and Mekaela Fisher before Oswald banged in was left alone to pop in a rebound and restore the 1 goal lead heading into the second intermission.
The third period saw Kosior make a couple of huge saves especially late in the period as well as the Caps having a couple of great opportunities to get their third but in the end their would be no more scoring even with the net empty and the Caps skated off with the all important win.
The Caps Coaching Staff was pleased with the team's compete level and the discpline they showed throughout the game. The series now swings back to Portage on Monday March 23 at the PCU Centre for game 3 - game time is set for 7:45.
Caps fall to Chiefs
The Caps came out with some good pace and controlled the first part of the first period however the Yellowhead Chiefs would weather the pressure and it eventually led to a 3-1 Chiefs win in the first game of the MFMHL Final Series. The Caps had some quality chances in the second period however could not convert to grab the lead and on numeroius occassions the Chiefs would find a way to get in the shooting lane and block the Caps efforts to get the puck to the net. The two teams battled through 2 tight checking periods and entered the third period all even at 0-0. The Chiefs would score first 4 minutes into the third period when a shot from the slot went in off the post past Lauren Taraschuk in net for the Caps. The Chiefs would add another to make it 2-0 with just over 5 minutes left in the game before the Caps would score on the powerplay when Tamara McVannel scored from the point through a screen to set up an interesting final 2 minutes, Leandra Timmerman and Sheridan Oswald picked up helpers on the goal. The Caps managed to pull the goalie for an extra attacker and had some chances around the Chiefs net but the Chiefs were again able to block some key shots and clear the puck leading to an empty net goalie with 3 seconds left to secure the win and a 1-0 series lead.
The Caps compete level appeared good however having a 10 day lay off between games did seem to have some effect on their play. That said the Chiefs were solid in their win and the Caps will now have to regroup and find a way to win game 2 in Shoal Lake on Saturday March 21.
CAPS EARN FIRST TRIP TO MFMHL FINAL
The Caps again scored first and early in their 3rd game vs. the defending MFMHL Champion Pembina Valley Hawks in their semi-final matchup and this time it was all they needed to secure a win and trip to the MFMHL Final.
Emily Upgang scored her 4th goal of the series just under 4 minutes in when she converted a pass from Sheridan Oswald with Mekaela Fisher getting the second assist after some good work down low by the Caps. Oswald received the puck from Fisher and walked off the half wall driving towards the Hawks' net before hitting Upgang who had moved in on the far side of the net to receive a perfect pass that she redirect into the back of the net.
From here the two teams traded chances in a tight checking intense game that saw the Hawks continue to push to tie the game until the final whistle. Both Lauren Taraschuk and Taylor Reimer played strong games between the pipes for their teams. Taraschuk was perfect for the Caps while Reimer was only beaten once on 20 shots fired at her by the Caps.
The Hawks had a few quality chances especially with the goalie pulled for an extra attacker however the Caps limited these chances and when needed Lauren Taraschuk again made some solid saves in the Caps net turning away all 21 shots fired her way for her second shutout of the series.
The Caps played solid defense from the net out in the 3 games only allowing 2 goals while limiting the Hawks on average to 24 shots on net per game. The coaching staff was very pleased with the teams compete and intensity level vs. a very good Pembina Valley Hawks team and program that has been the standard within the MFMHL in regards to quality and winning having won all MFMHL Championships since the league started in 2008 including regular season and playoffs while attaining an Esso Cup National Championship in 2012.
The Caps will now prepare for another tough test vs. the winner of the Westman Wildcats - Yellowhead Chiefs series and will practice this week prior to starting the Final the week of March 16.
CAPS PICK UP BIG PLAYOFF ROAD WIN
The Caps traveled to Morden on Thursday for game 2 of their best of 5 MFMHL semi-final matchup with the Pembina Valley Hawks and came away with a 3-2 win to take a 2-0 lead in the series. It was definitely not a pretty win as the Hawks actually outshot the Caps 14-3 in the third period however the Caps would notch the only goal of the period to score the victory. Emily Upgang scored a hat trick for the Caps while Sheridan Oswald and Mekaela Fisher both picked up 2 assist with Tamara McVannel getting credit for a single helper.
The Caps would come out flying to start the game with Upgang scoing her first of the game when she took a nice feed from Sheridan Oswald and put the puck into the back of the net. The Caps carried the play for a majority of the first period missing out on several glorious scoring chances and were unlucky not to be up by 3 or 4 goals.
The second period saw the teams go back and forth with the Hawks evening the score a 1-1 before Upgang put the puck into the back of the net again off of a perfect feed from Oswald, Fisher picked up assists on the first two Caps goals. The Hawks would even the score and send the teams into the intermission tied at 2-2.
The third period saw the Hawks play their best period of the series however they were unable to beat Lauren Taraschuk in net for the Caps who gave her team a chance to take the lead. The Caps would do exactly that when McVannel would head man the puck to to Upgang who made a rush up the right side and had the option to pass or shoot as Fisher had caught up to the play. Upgang decided to shoot and the shot seemed to be a knuckle ball the fooled the Hawks netminder to the short side just under 6 minutes to go in the game. The Hawks continued to press but could not break through although with 21 seconds left and the goalie pulled they thought they had tied it only to have the officials wave off the goal as it was hand passed into the net. The Face off would come outside the Caps zone and from here even with the Hawks having their goalie pulled the Caps would not allow the Hawks to regain their zone breaking up the rushes with solid forechecking to hold on for the win.
Caps Pick Up Game One Win In Semi-Final
The Caps opened up their MFMHL semi-final matchup vs. the Pembina Valley Hawks with a hard fought 3-0 win. The Caps would get a goal a period from three different players as Mekaela Fisher, Sheridan Oswald and Haley Proteau would all find the back of the net.
The game started with the Caps coming out strong and would score just 2 minutes into the game when Fisher would bang in a rebound after Emily Upgang got the puck to the net, Tamara McVannel would pick up the second assist on the play. The Hawks would come on strong for the remainder of the period however could not solve Lauren Taraschuk in net for the Caps sending the teams to the intermission with the Caps up 1-0.
The second period saw the Caps come out strong and control a large part of the play however were unable to convert this into a goal until there was only 2:25 left in the period. Oswald would score off of a great feed from Upgang after she rounded the net and put a perfect backhand pass out into the slot that Oswald one timed to give the Caps a 2-0 intermission lead, Fisher picked up the second assist as the Caps worked the play off of some great cycling down low.
The third period would see the two teams tighten up defensively and the only goal came off a Caps power play when Haley Proteau banged in a rebound after Chelsea Hallson and Eryn Stewart did some nice passing to get the puck to the net. From here the Caps limited the Hawks' offensive chances and allowing only 6 shots in the third period. For the game Taraschuk stopped 26 shots to record the shutout while the Caps fired 29 at the Hawks' net. The Caps were perfect on the penalty kill for night not allowing anything on 4 Hawks' powerplays while being 1 for 2 on their powerplay.
The Coaching Staff was very pleased with the compete level from the entire team and will be looking for that to occur over 60 minutes in Morden.
