March 1
Steinbach, MB – Patrick Zubick made 39 saves through four periods of hockey and then kicked aside four more in the shootout as the Oil Caps knocked off the Steinbach Pistons 3-2 on Tuesday night.
It was the first time the Oil Caps had gone to a shootout this season, and it was certainly a thrilling way to end the regular season.
After a scoreless first period, Tyler Kirkup took a pass from Ben Dalke and sent a swift backhand over the glove of Roman Bengert to give Virden a 1-0 lead.
Steinbach outshot Virden 24-15 through 40 minutes but Zubick stood tall in the Virden net.
Early in the third period Ben Dalke snapped home his 29th of the season popping the water bottle off the net to make it a 2-0 lead for the Caps.
Steinbach would turn it on from their firing 14 shots on goal in the third period.
Dan Tallifer would end the shutout bid midway through the period cueing up a thrilling finish.
With less than 10 seconds left, Cole Smith drove the puck into the Caps zone and chipped it out front where Bradley Schoobaert was waiting to tap it in with just 2.1 seconds left in regulation.
The two teams would exchange chances in overtime but it was off to a shootout.
In the free kicks, Devan Schram and Dylan Thiessen scored for the Caps while Zubick stopped 4/5 to earn the victory.
The Caps will now turn their focus to the MJHL Playoffs as they get set to meet the Winnipeg Blues for the first time in franchise history.
Game one is set to go on Friday March 11th at Tundra Oil & Gas Place.
Scoring Summary – Click Here