The Northern Capitals were ready to play some hockey.
After a 19-day break in their schedule, the Capitals took on the Greater Vancouver Comets in a three-game series at the Kin Centre and came away with a sweep. The Caps defeated the Comets 6-1 on Friday, 6-0 on Saturday and 5-4 on Sunday.
In the U18 female division of the BC Elite Hockey League, the Capitals pushed their second-place record to 21-6-0-3. The Comets, in last place in the five-team group, fell to 4-27-1-0.
In Friday’s game, Hailey Armstrong paced the Capitals with two goals and three assists. Brooklyn Hutchings added a goal and an assist, while Jessa Brewer, Abby Bryant and Maria Ayre also scored. Paige Riley was the only Greater Vancouver shooter who got a puck past Caps goaltender Sierra Eagles.
On Saturday, Karsyn Niven was flawless in goal for the Capitals and picked up her third shutout of the season. Offensively, meanwhile, Hutchings had a pair of goals and a helper. Ella Boon, Armstrong, Sage Nohr and Ayre also found the back of the Greater Vancouver net and Keagan Goulet finished with two assists.
In Sunday’s capper, an empty-net goal by Brewer with 1:50 to play stood up as the winner. Comets forward Esther Boelema scored on a power play after that but her team still came up one goal short. The Capitals led 1-0 after the first period and 3-1 after the second. In the final eight minutes of the third period, the teams combined for five goals – three by the Comets and two by the Capitals. Goal-scorers for the Capitals were Keira Vermeulen, Kasey Ditner, Camryn Ward (2) and Brewer. Caitlyn Tong struck twice for the Comets and Emily Chan had their other goal. In the nets, Eagles got the win and Kennedy Lonson took the loss.
The Caps have two games left in their regular season, this coming weekend in Vernon against the fourth-place Thompson-Okanagan Lakers (11-17-0-2). Regardless of the results, the Capitals will finish second to the Fraser Valley Rush, who currently boast a record of 27-2-1-0.
Both Rush losses have come at the hands of the Capitals.
