Once the puck dropped to start the second period, it was all Central Plains Capitals.

Zak Smith, Jayson Brooks and Joey Moffatt scored goals in a span of 1:44 at the start of the second, staking the Capitals to a 3-0 lead en route to an 8-1 win over the Southwest Cougars in Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League action Saturday night at the BDO Centre in Portage la Prairie.

Moffatt and Brooks both scored hat tricks, while Dawson Braun added a goal for Central Plains. Tanner Andrew scored Southwest's lone marker.

After a scoreless first period, the Capitals jumped out to 4-0 lead in the second. Smith scored 18 seconds after puck drop to make it 1-0. Just over a minute later, Brooks and Moffatt found the net just 17 seconds apart to put the hosts ahead 3-0. Brooks beat Randy Cooke to score his second of the period at 7:18 and put Central Plains up four.

Southwest got on the scoreboard just past the midway point of the second, as Andrew beat Riley Sveistrup to cut the Capitals' lead to 4-1. But Moffatt would respond shortly after, restoring Central Plains' four-goal lead.

Moffatt completed his hat trick at 10:22 of the third. Then Brooks would do the same 53 seconds later, making it 7-1. Braun scored to add to the rout at with 7:31 remaining in regulation.

Sveistrup made 26 saves in the win, while Cooke stopped 31 taking the loss. Riley Wallace made 15 saves in relief. Central Plains outshot Southwest 54-27 while going 3 for 8 on the power play; Southwest finished 0 for 5.

The Capitals (14-9-1-0) are right back at it Sunday afternoon, when they play a road game against the Parkland Rangers (7-14-0-1). Central Plains has won all three previous meetings with Parkland this season, outscoring it 18-5 in the process.