A little sharper scrimmage at Kettler Iceplex on Thursday as the Capitals rookie development camp continues. Forward Travis Boyd had a pair of goals for the Red team, but his team lost in a shootout, 4-3, to the White team. Garrett Mitchell scored a goal in regulation and had the lone tally in the shootout to win it. He also got into a scrap. Boyd has three goals and two assists in a pair of scrimmages so far.
“Just getting some good bounces out there and working well with the guys I’m playing with,” Boyd said. “It’s been a good start.”
Enforcer Danick Paquette – acquired in the Eric Fehr trade last week – had himself a game. And a post-game media session for that matter. Paquette caught Adam Mitchell with a questionable elbow in the first period. He later fought defenseman Scott Wietecha. Also scored a goal after a pretty rush and dish by defenseman Garrett Haar. Paquette, 20, had an absurd 213 penalty minutes for Lewiston in the QMJHL in 2007-08 and topped himself with 230 for the MAINEiacs the next season.
Earned another 136 with the Quebec Ramparts in 2009-10. Paquette spent most of last season – his first as a pro – with the Gwinnett Gladiators in the ECHL. He did record 13 goals with seven assists to go with 179 penalty minutes in 59 games. Check out a nice story by CSN’s Ben Raby on Paquette earlier in the week. No idea if Paquette ever makes the NHL. But the kid for sure likes to stir the pot.
“I think it’s not the elbow. I feel his helmet right on my jaw,” Paquette said. “I know it’s a blindside. But it’s a hit it’s a hit. I’m a pretty dirty player. I did my job, like Matt Cooke. Usually people come at me and try to fight, but no one came so it’s okay.”
Now, that’s a strong quote, but he was also laughing as he said this so don’t be too hard on Paquette. But he does have a job to do and while he has some skill the coaching staff and front office didn’t bring him in to score pretty goals. He’s playing the role asked of him.
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