December 2, 2016
Virden, MB – The Virden Oil Capitals dropped a close, hard fought battle to the OCN Blizzard, 3-2. Caps Head Coach, Troy Leslie said, “I thought our effort was good tonight, we directed a lot of pucks on net and had some second and third efforts around the net as well. The difference tonight was special teams; we need to capitalize on the power play on nights like these. Giving up two short-handed goals obviously hurt tonight as well. We need to learn from this and move on quickly, we have a big game on Sunday that we need to be ready for.”
The first period the Caps had a lot of chances, but couldn’t find the back of the net. After the first, it was still a 0-0 game and the Caps outshot the Blizzard, 14-5.
The first 10 minutes of the second period remained scoreless, with both teams having lots of opportunities. Captain, Mack Hardy got the Caps on the board at 7:44 in the second assisted by Marco Creta and Cole Oliver. The Caps went on a power play at 13:27 in the period and had chances to stretch the lead to two. The Blizzard found a short-handed break at 15:07 with an unassisted goal from Jeremy Dumont assisted by Adam Heinemann. At the end of the second period, the score was tied 1-1 and shots on goal were 21-12 in favour of the Capitals.
Not long into the third-period assistant captain, Carter Cowlthorp scored the Caps second goal of the game and his tenth of the season assisted by Dylan Thiessen and Tristen Cross to take the lead 2-1. OCN answered back at 7:01 to tie the game back up once again, with a goal from Shane Roulette assisted by Jeremy Dumont and Maverick Rafter. The Caps kept getting their chances, but couldn’t get past Emiliem Boily. The Capitals went back on a power play at 16:22 – with lots of chances to capitalize the Blizzard once again scored a short-handed goal at 17:32 from Shane Roulette unassisted for his second of the game. The Blizzard’s short-handed goal would be enough for them to hold the lead and take the win, 3-2. The final shots on goal were 45-32 in favour of the Caps.
The Redferns Farmer Strong Hardest Worker of the Game – Marco Creta. The Caps earned one of the three stars in tonight’s 3-2 loss. The second Star – Carter Cowlthorp.
The Capitals next action is at home, Sunday, December 4 against Winkler Flyers at 7:00p.m. It is the Teddy Bear Toss game and Digger’s Birthday brought to you by TSL! Forwards, Tyler Kirkup and Ben Dalke will not be in the line up on Sunday, as they head to Leduc, Alberta for the Team Canada West evaluation camp. The Oil Capitals wish Tyler and Ben the best of luck at camp and know that they will represent our team well.