GRAND FALLS, N.B. - Justin Ouellette picked up three points to lead the Summerside Western Capitals to its first win of the season Sunday afternoon at the E. & P. Senechal Centre.
The Western Capitals cruised to a 7-2 win over the Grand Falls Rapids to improve to 1-2-0-0 on the young season and wrap up its Northern New Brunswick road trip. The Rapids fall to 1-2-1-0 on the season.
Ouellette scored twice and added an assist as Owen MacPherson (1-1), Matthew MacLean, Declan MacLauchlan, Matthew Ferdinand and Isaac Taweel netted goals for the Western Capitals. Jordan Shaw and Maverick Hayes each chipped in with two assists.
The Capitals opened the scoring at the 7:23 mark of the first period with a power play goal from MacLean for his first goal of the season. Gavin Smith and MacPherson drew assists.
Just 2:10 later, the Capitals took a two-goal lead with MacLauchlan’s first career MHL goal. Shaw and Ouellette drew assists.
In the second period, the Capitals made it 3-0 at 7:37 with Ferdinand’s first goal as a Cap. Captain Hayes drew the lone assist.
Taweel made it 4-0 with his first goal of the season at 12:13 with an unassisted marker.
The Rapids got on the board at 17:12 with Jonah Leard’s second goal of the season. Zackarie Michaud and Kaden Bell drew assists.
Grand Falls made it a 4-2 game just 1:42 later with Patrick Baxter netting his first goal of the season. Antoine L’Italien dew the lone assist.
In the third period, Ouellette restored the three-goal lead for the Capitals with his first goal of the season at 5:32 on the power play. Aiden Diamond and Cade Moser drew assists.
Exactly one minute later, MacPherson scored his second of the season to give the Capitals a 6-2 lead. Max Gamble and Hayes drew assists.
Summerside took a 7-2 lead at 12:24 with Ouellette’s second goal of the game. Shaw drew the lone assist.
Maxence Picard earned the win in between the pipes for the Western Capitals with 22 saves. The win marks Picard's first career MHL win. For the Rapids, Dax Robichaud took the loss with 33 saves.
Full game recap can be found here.
Summerside returns to action Thursday Sept. 24 when they travel to Stellarton, N.S., for a road game against the Pictou County Crushers at 7 p.m. AST. The Capitals then finally return home for its home opener on Saturday Sept. 26, 2026 against the Crushers at 7 p.m. AST.
Other game notes:
-For the last two games, the Capitals dressed call-up player Dixon Beatty.
-Capitals forward Dylan MacLean was assessed a five-minute charging major followed by five-minute fighting major and a game misconduct. It will be interesting to see what type of suspension is handed down by the MHL.
