The Topeka Capitals are heading to North Richland Hills, TX, and the NYTEX Sorts Centre for the first annual NA3HL South Division Showcase Tournament. There they will take on three division foes: Texas, Nashville, and Sugar Land.
The NA3HL Showcase provides an opportunity for teams to put their skills on display for college scouts and for coaches around the division while giving each club a chance to gain ground in the standings. Topeka is currently second in the South with 20 points, trailing Nashville by one. Of their three opponents in the Showcase, the Caps have faced all but one this season: The Sugar Land Imperials. Here is how the Showcase is shaping up by the numbers…
The Texas Junior Brahmas (9-4-2)
Texas is in their first season in the South Division. In four games this season, the Caps are 4-0-0, sweeping the Jr. Brahmas over a three game series in September and dropping them 3-1 in a one-game matchup on Oct. 5th. Topeka has outscored Texas 15-7 and has trailed Texas only twice. The Jr. Brahmas are led in points by Paolo DiGenova (12) and their top goal scorer is Dixon Whitehead (7).
The Nashville Junior Predators (10-1-1)
The Capitals opened their season against the Jr. Predators with a two-game series in mid-September. In game one, the Caps grabbed a 2-1 lead in the third period only to watch Nashville tie it up a minute later. A scoreless overtime was followed by a shootout. Nashville secured the only goal on their third attempt, securing the win. Game two went to a shootout as well with the third attempt again being the deciding edge for the Jr. Predators who would take the game 4-3. Nashville’s only losses this season came to Point Mallard, one in regulation and the other in a shootout.
The Sugar Land Imperials (3-8-0)
The Showcase will be the first time these two original members of the South Division meet this season. Last year, the Caps dominated the Imperials. After dropping their first two games against Sugar Land, Topeka ripped off 12 straight wins on their way to a regular season South Division title. The Imps won their first series of the season against Texas, taking two of the three games, but have lost seven of their last eight and currently sit at the bottom of the standings with only six points.
Follow all of the action this weekend on-line at www.fasthockey.com. The Caps will return to Topeka on Saturday, Nov. 22nd, to take on St. Louis. Tickets are on $5 and parking is free. For more information on upcoming games, call 785-286-PUCK or visit www.topekacapitals.com.