March 17, 2017
Virden, MB - The Virden Oil Capitals dropped game 5 in last night’s road game in double overtime for the Flyers to regain their series lead 3-2. The 3-2 double overtime loss marked the third time this series that these two teams went to overtime to find an answer. The Flyers, Scott Gall scored the game-winner in double overtime, 5:13 into the fifth period giving the Flyers the 3-2 edge in the series.
Less than 24-hours after the Oil Capitals tied the series 2-2 with a huge double overtime win at home the Flyers titled the ice back in their favour with 3-2 double overtime win to take the advantage in the series.
The Virden Oil Capitals came out flat in the first period, and the Flyers were able to take it to them early on. The Caps earned their first shot on goal 14 minutes into the contest, with a great scoring chance for Tyler Kirkup in all alone, but Troy Martynuik was a brick wall. The Flyers got on the board first with a power play goal at 18:45 from Lawson McDonalad assisted by Coltyn Bates and Matt Christian. At the end of the first period, the Caps trailed 1-0 and shots on goal were 9-3 for the Flyers.
The second period remained the same and the Flyers were able to hold a 1-0 lead going into the third. The shots on goal after the second were tied 11-11.
The Oil Capitals came out flying in the third period, finding a spark as Captain, Mack Hardy got his team rolling with an early goal only 9 seconds into the period assisted by Ben Dalke to tie the game 1-1. The Oil Capitals were taking it to the Flyers and found a way to take a 2-1 lead at 3:21 with a goal from Sam Schultz for his first of the playoffs assisted by Jordan Thomson and Jeran Knorr. The Flyers were trailing for the first time in the game, but it didn’t last for long as Lawson McDonald tied it up 2-2 at 6:21 assisted by Braden Billaney and Scott Gall. The Oil Capitals dominated the Flyers in the third period, outshooting them 17-9. For the third time, this series the game would head to overtime to find an answer.
Only 46 seconds into the first overtime period the Flyers, Colten Bates took a penalty for interference sending the Caps to the power play. In the series the Caps power play has been extremely successful, as 8 out of the 10 goals have come on the power play. The power play opportunity didn’t last long for the Capitals as Ben Dalke was sent to the box for boarding at 1:57 to create a little four on four action. At the end of the first overtime, neither team was able to find the back of the net forcing the game to second overtime.
At 5:13 in the second overtime Tyler Lindstrom fired a shot on the net, the puck rolled behind McVeigh, creating a scramble, as Winkler’s Scott Gall located the puck first and was able to put it in the back of the net for the double overtime game winner.
Riley McVeigh stopped 33 shots in last night’s contest. The final shots on goal were 37-36 for the Flyers. The Oil Capitals went 0 for 6 on the power play.
The Oil Capitals are back at home for game 6 of the series Sunday, March 19th at 7:00 pm. The Oil Capitals will look to even the series and keep their playoff run alive. Tickets are now on sale at the Oil Capitals Office – Saturday, March 18th until 5:00 pm and Sunday, March 19th 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Come support the Oil Capitals in their playoff run and help them even the series!