Tonight’s Game Notes:
Welcome fans to tonight’s MJHL action featuring the visiting Selkirk Steelers (15-16-1) and your home town Virden Oil Capitals (19-13-4).Tonight’s game is brought to you by the Arlington Hotel in Maryfield, SK.Make sure to “Like” their Facebook page for the latest specials and promotions.
The final home game of the 2014 schedule is upon us. Your Oil Caps square off tonight with the Selkirk Steelers in a rematch of last night’s matchup in Selkirk that saw Virden skate their way to a 6-4 win.
Last night was the first time the two teams have played each other since the Soren Frederiksen/Bradley Reichardt-Teagan Sacher trade back in late October. It was Frederiksenwho delivered the first blow at his old club with a pair of first period goals to get the Oil Caps started. Sacher was on the hook for all six of Virden’s goals on the night. Corey Haverstick, Dylan Thiessen, Tyler Ham and call-up, Ben Dalke, added singles to pace the Oil Caps. Sean Kuehn made 22 saves on the night for the win.
The playing field shifts to Tundra Oil & Gas Place tonight for the back half of this holiday home-and-home. The Oil Caps have the opportunity to make it five-in-a-row tonight and go into the Christmas break as the hottest team in the MJHL. Virden would also like create a bit more separation between themselves and the middle-third of the pack as they continue to hunt down the fourth place Steinbach Pistons.
Cam Pateman will get the start in goal tonight who is fresh off his first career Junior ‘A’ shut out last Saturday against the Neepawa Natives. Kuehn departed back to Flower Mound, TX this morning for the Christmas break which has opened the door for Oil Caps’ prospect,Nathan Cvar to serve as the team’s backup for tonight’s contest. The Gimli product is playing for the Interlake Lightning in the MB AAA Midget League and was earlier in the season named the league’s Goaltender of the Month.
Every team in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League is in action tonight to close out the pre-Christmas schedule with the exception of the Waywayseecappo Wolverines. The Oil Caps’ players will head home for the holidays this weekend and will return to town on the night of the 28th for a practice, in preparation for their New Years Eve afternoon game with the Portage Terriers.
Looking into the 2015 schedule, the Oil Caps will play 12 games on home ice, while hitting the road for just 10. Virden has just one more meeting with the Blues and Pistons on the season, but will play the Winkler Flyers five more times. The MJHL’s roster freeze is currently in place until Dec. 28th during the holiday season. This sets the stage for the annual Candian Junior Hockey League trade deadline on Saturday, January 10th. All roster shuffling for the season must be made by this point in time.
Keep your eyes peeled for a special guest visitor tonight that will be wearing a jolly red suit. Enjoy the game and Happy Holidays to all from the Oil Caps!