If there was ever any doubt the Oil Capitals and Steelers, 1st round MJHL series was going to be easy for either team, that was answered last night in Selkirk.
Both teams played hard through 106:35 minutes of action before Virden’s regular season scoring leader, Kolten Kanaski, potted his 1st of the night in the 3rd OT to end the spectacular opening game and gaining home ice advantage on the series.
The 1st and 2nd periods was a back and forth affair, with nothing to show on the scoreboard for each team. Only two minor penalties were taken in the periods as well.
The 3rd was a different story, as both teams got their goal scoring touch. Selkirk’s, Noah Basarab scored the 1st goal of the game at the 1:41 mark. Only 20 seconds later Oil Capitals rookie, Keegan Morrison, got the visiting team squared back at 1. 18-year old, Hunter Cloutier, then put Virden up 2-1 at mid-way point of the period, with assists going to his line mates; Einarson and Belcher. The Oil Capital’s lead would be short lived, as Selkirk’s Carter Barley, tied it up late with a power play marker to set the table for a long overtime marathon that would last almost to the midnight hour. Several minor penalties would be called in the 3rd, including a 5 minute major for checking from behind to Blake Sidoni of the Oil Capitals.
Both teams would go end to end and back and forth for the duration of 3 overtime periods. At the 11:46 of the 3rd OT, Selkirk’s, Connor Barley, took a 5 minute major for blow to the heard, which lead to the eventual power play goal winner from the aforementioned Kolten Kanaski.
Oil Capitals goaltender, Dalton Dosch, and Steelers goaltender, Zachary Bennett were outstanding in their respective nets. Dosch stopped 65 of 67 shots thrown his way in preserving the victory. Bennet stopped 50 of 53 in the hard luck loss.
“This was an obviously huge win to start the series off in the fashion we did. But we will need to recoup and refocus tomorrow and turn the page. Playoffs are full of momentum swings game by game and period by period. We have the momentum going into game two, but if we take out foot off the gas pedal, things can change in a heartbeat. But give our guys credit tonight. They battled through adversity, injuries, and penalties to get the victory. Dosch was outstanding in net and deserves a lot of credit for the win as well.” Oil Capitals Coaching Staff.
Playoff tickets are for sale at the Valleyview Co-op C-Store and Virden Sport and Fashion for home games!
Adult: $15
Senior: $13
Youth: $8