Today’s Game Notes:
Welcome fans to a rare matinee matchup featuring the visiting Steinbach Pistons (18-8-3) and your hometown Virden Oil Capitals (14-12-4). This afternoon is the Family Skate Game brought to you by today’s game host, MGEU.
Well if you were here last night, there was a lot of excitement on the go. 355 Teddy Bears took flight onto the ice surface after Tanner Lewis scored 5:32 into the first period topping last season’s 248 – All of which are being donated to the Virden Christmas Cheer.
From that point on, the Kings and Oil Caps traded goals with that early marker being the only lead of the game Virden would have. Tied up at 3-3 heading to the third, the Kings scored :19 seconds into the final frame and the Oil Caps could never find the equalizer as they fell 4-3 on home ice.
We can’t forget about Digger! Thanks to TSL Industries, Digger came to life last night for the first time and was an instant fan favourite. Thanks to all the classes in attendance last night who helped name Digger in the naming contest.
Focusing on today’s matchup – we’ve got two teams who are separated by seven points in the standings and are both looking to gain an edge. There appears to be no love lost between the Oil Caps and Pistons as the last time these two teams met saw 177 minutes in penalties being handed out in a game that saw the Oil Caps win 4-3 in a shootout.
Head-to-head, this is the fifth of six meetings on the season between the two clubs with the Oil Caps holding a 3-1 record in the first four matchups. This is the Pistons final visit of the regular season to Tundra Oil & Gas Place. These teams won’t meet again until the final contest of the regular season on March 3rd, which if trends continue, could have large playoff implications surrounding it.
The Pistons made a few changes since the last time you saw them, with their most notable acquisition being the former Dauphin captain, Tyler Garrioch. Steinbach will feature Westman products, Landon Cross, Braden Compton, and James Shearer in their lineup tonight as well.
It’s a short turnaround for both teams this afternoon with the difference being the Oil Caps got to sleep in their own beds last night. Steinbach was up in Wayway where they picked up two points in a 4-1 win. Look for both teams to try and win this game early with a strong start. If the physicality of this budding rivalry continues as it has, you can expect that special teams will play a large outcome on today’s end result.
Don’t forget, fans can join the players and Digger on the ice following the game before being treated to food and a drink courtesy of MGEU. All fans 18 and under must wear a helmet.
It’s a Sunday afternoon matinee in Virden featuring the Pistons and the Oil Caps. Enjoy the game!