SUMMERSIDE – Dylan Riley made sure his first goal as a Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capital was a big one.
Riley, who was acquired along with Jacob Hickey from the Pictou County Crushers at the trade deadline a little over a week ago, scored 37 seconds into overtime to give the Caps a 3-2 victory over the Truro Bearcats on Thursday night. The Capitals have now won nine games in a row and 12 of 13.
The win moved Summerside, which is 28-5-0 (won-lost-overtime losses), into sole possession of first-place overall in the 12-team MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League), two points up on the Eastlink South Division-leading Yarmouth Mariners (25-5-4).
Yarmouth is back in action on Friday against the Amherst Ramblers (22-9-2).
Before 822 fans at Eastlink Arena, Jesse Annear and Brodie MacArthur set up Riley’s game-winning goal, which was necessary after Truro’s Gavin Hart tied the game 2-2 with 34 seconds remaining in regulation time.
MacArthur, who has 64 points in 33 regular-season games, took over the lead in the league scoring race, one point ahead of teammate TJ Shea. Shea sat out Thursday’s game after he was injured in Tuesday’s 4-1 road win over the St. Stephen Aces (12-19-3).
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Go-ahead goal
Hickey had given the Caps a 2-1 lead at 9:34 of the third period. It was also Hickey’s first goal as a Western Capital. Annear also scored while other helpers went to Zach Thususka, Cam Roberts, Marc Richard and affiliated player Colby MacArthur, who was called up from the Kensington Wild major midget team.
Caleb Hart netted the other goal for Truro (19-11-3).
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The score was tied 1-1 after the first and second periods.
The final shots-on-goal totals were 33-22 in favour of the Caps, including a 13-3 advantage in the second period. Dominik Tmej earned the goaltending win over Myles Hektor.
The Bearcats were 0-for-4 on the power play, and the Caps failed to capitalize on two opportunities.
The game’s three stars were:
1. Dylan Riley (Caps), 2. Jacob Hickey (Caps), 3. Gavin Hart (Bearcats).
The Caps’ next game is Saturday in Amherst at 7 p.m.
