Crushers eye return match against Capitals Thursday

NEW GLASGOW – After a disappointing split of their games against division rivals last week, the Pictou County Weeks Crushers will wrap up their September schedule in the MHL with games against three Meek Division teams in as many days.
The Crushers will host the Summerside Western Capitals Thursday in New Glasgow before road games Friday in Campbellton against the Tigers and Saturday in Miramichi against the Timberwolves.
The game represents a chance for the Crushers to redeem a third-period collapse that led to their first regular season loss by a 4-2 margin against the division rival Yarmouth Mariners last Thursday in New Glasgow.
It came after three wins in as many games, capped by a 7-2 romp Sept. 18 in Bridgewater against the host Lumberjacks.
“It’s going to be a really good challenge for us,” Crushers’ head coach and general manager Jason Malone said. “We want to bring the same effort as we did in Summerside and hope to get good results.”
The Crushers edged the Caps 5-4 in overtime Sept. 15 in their first meeting this season.
In Thursday’s game, the Crushers outshot the Mariners 31-16 in the last two periods but self-destructed in the game’s final 10 minutes.
They took a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by Corey Bennett and Tyler Doyle, but the Mariners answered with two goals in the second period to tie the game.
The Crushers had an opportunity to retake the lead on a power play, but the Mariners took the lead on a shorthanded goal and padded the lead four minutes later.
The Crushers also dashed any hopes of a late comeback with a penalty with 90 seconds remaining in the third period.
In Bridgewater, the Crushers snapped a 1-1 tie with four goals in the second period. They got a goal and an assist each from Cody Squires, Jordan McInnis, Devan Gunn and Brandon Parsons, while Bennett, Nick Parker and Brennan Saulnier also scored.
In other news, the Crushers have dealt the rights to Kyle Kavanaugh and future considerations to the Woodstock Slammers for a pick in the league’s 2013 draft and future considerations.