The Midget Female Caps were shut out 2-nothing by Winnipeg in their Manitoba Female Midget Hockey League season opener yesterday.

The Caps struggled for long periods of time getting the puck out of their own, as well as some unfortunate penalty trouble that led to both Avros' goals. Caps' Head Coach Ferdi Nelissen says they're going to have to adapt and get the puck to the middle on the break-out if they want to get their attack going.

"We've been trying to get the girls out of the habit of always going to the wall, because if we keep going to the wall there's immediate pressure on the wingers. I thought at the end of the game here I thought the girls actually did a good job."

Nelissen's a big believer in defense first, and says the offense will come from strong play in their own end.

"I've said this to the girls, and we just reiterate it again and again. You're only as good as you are in your own end, and part of that is what you do without the puck and breaking out. You can't score many goals if you can't get down to the other end."

Nelissen adds they struggled with penalties, but he felt the calls could've gone either way for most. The Caps are off from regular season action for a week as they're set for tournament action this weekend in Morden.