Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals forward and assistant captain Brett Arsenault, 81, controls the puck during the first period of a Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL) game at the Island Petroleum Energy Centre on Sept. 26. Caps forward Austin Walker, 10, supports Arsenault. Arsenault scored on a penalty shot in overtime to lift the Caps to a 3-2 win over the Truro Bearcats in Summerside’s home opener. Jason Simmonds/The Guardian Photo by Jason Simmonds/The Guardian /The GuardianArticle contentA big crowd, entertaining game and a thrilling finish made up the script for the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals’ home opener in the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL).THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentForward Brett Arsenault of Charlottetown made no mistake scoring on a penalty shot at 4:15 of overtime to give the Caps a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Truro Bearcats before 2,655 fans at the Island Petroleum Energy Centre on Sept. 26.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArsenault also assisted on Brennan Murphy’s power-play goal at 11:32 of the first period to open the game’s scoring.Article contentIt was a short-lived lead as the Bearcats answered back at 12:37 with a goal off the stick of Callum Aucoin.Article contentArticle content Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals forward Brennan Murphy scores the game’s first goal on Truro Bearcats goaltender Louca Connolly in the opening period of a Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL) game on Sept. 26. The Caps won their home opener, played before over 2,600 fans at the Island Petroleum Energy Centre, 3-2 in a shootout. Jason Simmonds/The Guardian Photo by Jason Simmonds/The Guardian /The GuardianArticle contentArticle contentRyder Howatt, assisted by Jordan Shaw and Ethan Dickson, restored the Caps’ lead at 3:33 of the middle frame. The score remained 2-1 until Drew Keiver scored unassisted at 17:18 of the third period to force overtime.Article contentThe Caps were on a power play when the penalty shot was awarded. On the game-winning goal, Arsenault charged in hard after picking up the puck at centre ice, made a move to his left and scored on a back-hand deke to send the pro-Caps’ crowd into a frenzy.Article contentGeorge Gallant earned the goaltending win with a 29-save performance. Louca Connolly made 37 saves for the Bearcats.Article contentConnolly was especially busy in the first and last periods of the game. The Caps outshot the Bearcats 16-3 in the opening frame and held a 7-0 advantage in overtime before Arsenault’s penalty shot.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentTHREE STARSArticle contentThe game’s three stars were:Article content1. Brett Arsenault (Capitals).Article content2. Ryder Howatt (Capitals).Article content3. Callum Aucoin (Bearcats).Article contentArticle contentHOT STARTArticle contentThe victory improved the Capitals’ record to 5-0-0-1 (won-lost-overtime losses-shootout losses) and gave the team 11 of a possible 12 points through the first six regular-season games.Article contentThe Bearcats fell to 3-2-2-0.Article contentAfter starting the season with five away games, the Caps head back out on the road for games against the Grand Falls Rapids (4-0-1-0) on Oct. 3 and Edmundston Blizzard (2-3-0-1) on Oct. 4.Article contentThe Caps’ next home game is against the West Kent Steamers (4-1-1-0) on Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentJason Simmonds is the sports editor at The Guardian in Prince Edward Island. He can be reached at jsimmonds@postmedia.com and followed on X @JpsportsJason.Article content
Brett Arsenault makes no mistake scoring winning goal before 2,600-plus fans
