Group A Takes Second Scrimmage at Capitals Development Camp

In the second scrimmage of Capitals Prospect Development Camp, group A took revenge for their loss the previous day, beating group B by a score of 4-3 in a shootout.

“I think today was faster,” said top prospect Cody Eakin. “More plays were made and [there was] more structure. I think day one was good, but guys were still feeling it out. I think day two was better and I think day three will be really good.”

While he was the most highly touted prospect entering camp, Eakin has yet to stand out in either of the scrimmages thus far.

“He’s not standing out as much as he A – did last year and B – [with] what he’s accomplished this year,” said Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau when asked about the 21-year-old. “But I have no fears that Cody Eakin is going to come to our camp with one desire and that desire is to make the Caps.”

One player who did stand out was forward Garrett Mitchell. The Regina native spent last year captaining his hometown team and appeared in two games with the Hershey Bears towards the end of the season.

Mitchell found himself in a fight with free agent invitee Scott Wietecha, a Michigan native who spent time in the ECHL last season, and scored his second goal in as many games at Development Camp. He also netted the only goal in the shootout on a brilliant deke around Brandon Anderson to win the game for group A, the white team.

“You’re here three times now. You feel a little bit more comfortable with the systems. You can just go out and kind of play your game,” said Mitchell after the scrimmage.

Another standout for a second straight scrimmage was Travis Boyd, who picked up points on all three goals for group B. He assisted on Reid Edmonson’s goal in the first period and in the final period, with his team down 3-1, he led two plays to tie the game, scoring on both of them.

“I think I’m a skill forward so I like being in the offensive zone. I like creating,” said Boyd when asked what his strengths as a hockey player were. “I like working it and holding onto the puck and making plays happen.”

The 17-year-old forward, drafted early this year by the Caps, now has three goals and two assists in the two scrimmages at Development Camp.

The goalies showed improved play as well, especially Steffen Soberg and free agent invitee Jacob Gervais-Chouinard as each only allowed one goal in their time on the ice.

Perhaps the most interesting moments of the day came from forward Danick Paquette, who was acquired from the Winnipeg Jets (the recently relocated Atlanta Thrashers) along with a draft pick for forward Eric Fehr.

Paquette scored a goal and got into a fight with Scott Wietecha, much like Garrett Mitchell, but it was a play in the first and what he had to say about it that had everyone talking.

Paquette caught Adam Mitchell up high with an elbow early on in the game, causing the free agent invitee to head to the locker room.

“If [former NHL Senior Vice President] Colin Campbell was watching it might’ve been a little bit of a dirty hit in the first period,” said coach Boudreau. “But that’s what he’s got to be: one of those guys that everybody loves to hate.”

Paquette knows what his role is as well. He compared himself to a player Caps fans certainly love to hate.

He smiled and laughed as he said, “I’m a pretty dirty player so I did my job – like Matt Cooke.”

Additional Notes

-  With the series tied at one game apiece, the two groups will meet in a final scrimmage on Saturday to determine the ‘winner’ of the camp. The scrimmage will be held at 10:00 AM as a part of fan fest with games for kids, the team equipment sale and autograph sessions with the prospects and current Capital Matt Hendricks.

-  Free agent invitee David Civitarese had the other goal for group A.