The Walkerton Capitals Novice Rep team has been experiencing
their first taste of playoffs over the past 2 weeks.
Walkerton took on TCDMHA in the first round. The Capitals met the Rebels in Keady on February 22 in the first of a 3 game series. Walkerton and TCDMHA fought a great game right to the end. Walkerton was ahead 2-1 going into the third period, with goals scored by Josh Dales and Jake Zettler, assists by Zettler and Lucas Bester. With less than 2 minutes to go TCDMHA scored on a controversial goal to tie it up and send it into overtime. The Capitals had their chances, but TCDMHA would score with a minute left to win the game. Their next meeting would take place 2 days later in Walkerton, were a dominant Rebels team beat Walkerton 4-0.
Walkerton would then meet South Bruce and the Hanover Falcons. Walkerton started the round off by playing South Bruce March 2 on home ice. The Capitals were all over the South Bruce team, but were held to only one goal thanks to some good goaltending by the South Bruce goaltender. The game would end in a 1-1 tie after 10 minutes of overtime. The Capitals goal was scored by Josh Dales, assisted by Cody McIntyre.
The Capitals then traveled to Hanover on March 6 to take on the Falcons. This was a great game to watch with lots of chances at both ends of the ice. The Walkerton defense did a great job to shut down one of Hanover’s top goal scorers. Ryan Hinsperger made some good saves between the pipes and the forwards kept the pressure on the Falcon defense the entire game. Walkerton scored 2 regulation goals, Dylan Catrwright scored on a nice hard shot from the blue line, assisted by McIntyre. Josh Dales scored to pull Walkerton ahead, but Hanover would tie it up to send it into overtime. OT saw both teams giving it their all, but it would be Walkerton who would win the game when Jake Zettler buried a rebound from Parker Elphick, additional assist from Scott McTeer.
Sunday March 9 the Capitals traveled to Teeswater to take on South Bruce once again. Walkerton would score twice in the first period on route to a 3-0 win. Ryan Hinsperger recorded his third shutout of the season. Goals from the game were scored by Lucas Bester, Jake Zettler and Marlie Pegalo. Assists from the Capitals were by Cody McIntyre, Josh Dales, and Parker Elphick.
This past Monday Walkerton hosted the Hanover Falcons at home. The Capitals would take an early lead, when Josh Dales rifled one past the Falcons goalie on a nice pass from Cody McIntyre. Dylan Cartwright quickly followed with another goal from the blue line, but a determined Hanover team put on the pressure and tied the game before the end of the first period, they would pull ahead in the second. Walkerton was unable to capitalize on their many chances and the game would end in a 3-2 lose. Assists from the Capitals in the game were from Andrew Al, Parker Elphick and Cody McIntyre (2).
The Walkerton Capitals will now play a final series with the Hanover Falcons, game times are still being determined. See you at the rink!