The host Summerside Western Capitals picked up its first win of the 2026 Centennial Cup with a 4-2 victory over the No. 1 nationally ranked Rockland Nationals Saturday night.
The Rockland Nationals lost just three games in regulation in 55 games during the regular season in the Central Canada Hockey League, before going 12-1 in the playoffs. The loss tonight marked the Nationals’ fifth loss in regulation combined in the regular season and playoffs for the 2025-26 season.
Owen MacPherson’s second period goal at 13:22 stood as the eventual game winner and Justin Robinson stood tall in net making 29 saves.
The Western Capitals improve to 1-0-0-1 (Wins-OT Wins-Losses-OT losses) for 4 points in the preliminary round with two games left. The Nationals fall to 0-0-1-1 for one point, also with two games left.
Summerside opened the scoring just 4:56 into the game with Alexandre Guy’s second of the tournament. Justin Ouellette and Matthew MacLean drew assists.
The Capitals extended its lead at 13:54 with an unassisted tally from Elliot Mullen for his first goal of the tournament.
In the second period, the Nationals cut the lead in half at 9:30 with a power play goal from Mavrick Brunet. Vital Dinis and Gabriel Le Houillier drew assists.
MacPherson put the Capitals back up by two goals with his first of the tournament. Jordan Shaw drew the lone assist.
The Nationals made it a 3-2 game with a goal from John Micallef at 2:29 into the third period.
Brennan Murphy scored a shorthanded empty-net goal at 17:58 to ensure the victory for the Caps.
Robinson picked up the win for the Capitals, playing in his first game since March 16, 2026 in Game 2 of the MHL division semi-finals against the Amherst Ramblers.
Kayden Newton took the loss for Rockland, making 26 saves.
The Capitals are back in action Sunday night against the AJHL champion Canmore Eagles at 7:30 p.m. AST. The Nationals are back in action Monday May 11 against the Thunder Bay North Stars (SIJHL) at 4 p.m. AST.
Full game summary can be found here.
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Day 2 results (Friday May 8, 2026):
College Francais du Longueuil 1
Flin Flon Bombers 0
Canmore Eagles 3
Thunder Bay North Stars 2
Greater Sudbury Cubs 4
Truro Bearcats 1
Day 3 results (Saturday May 9, 2026)
Niverville Nighthawks 7
Thunder Bay North Stars 2
Toronto Patriots 7
Flin Flon Bombers 2
Summerside Western Capitals 4
Rockland Nationals 2
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