They were wearing Tri-Port Mustang uniforms but it was the reborn North Island Capitals who blew into the Hap Parker Arena and beat Powell River Regals 6-2 in their home opener Saturday, October 17.
“We’re kind of wearing these until our new uniforms arrive in a couple of months,” said Capitals captain John Murgatroyd. “But maybe we’ll keep them after the way we played tonight.”
Each team had a full roster of players and the early pace was a quick one that yielded plenty of chances at both ends of the rink.
Capitals’ Shelby Cockrel opened the scoring when he stole the puck behind the Regals net and circled all the way to the slot to beat netminder Ryan Fairgray with a nice wrist shot at 4:45.
Regals answered immediately when Ryan Alexander raced down the right wing and, although he didn’t get all of it, managed to slither a shot through to tie 1-1 a minute later.
Cockrel added his second at 11:26 on the power play to restore the 2-1 lead for the Capitals but Regals forward Garrett Brandsma tied it at 13:47 on a long shot from the left wing.
“Just trying to throw the puck on the net,” said the speedy forward, “and that’s what happens. You’ve got to shoot to score.”
Unfortunately, Brandsma’s would be the last Regal goal of the night and the Capitals went up for good when Cockrel got his hat-trick goal at 16:14 to lead 3-2 after one period.
The Capitals added one more in the second period and two in the third for the 6-2 final and a well-deserved win.
John Murgatroyd, a former longtime Regal who has been instrumental in rebuilding the Capitals, was all smiles after the game and said putting lines together has been easy because the players on the team know each other.
“We’ve skated together about three times now,” he said, “but we all play against each other in our rec league up there, so we all know each other and our tendencies pretty well.”
Regals veteran Rick McLaren was smiling and reflective after the game. The solid core of local talent has definitely influenced his decision to extend his career.
“Tired and old,” he laughed. “I was going to retire this year but this is too much fun, and I even bought new skates, so I’m good to go.”
The younger players on this year’s team share McLaren’s enthusiasm.
“I’m excited to play the rest of the season,” said Brandsma. “We’ve got a good group of guys here so hopefully everyone can come out and we can keep the team together.”
That’s good news for manager Tod English who was pleased with the first outing against an opponent closer than 500 miles from Powell River.
“Lots of kids in the lineup,” he said, “a new team to play and [Murgatroyd] is great. They are going to be competitive, for sure.”
The Regals have a light schedule before Christmas that includes a two-game trip to the North Island on November 17.
