If the playoffs were set today, the Oil Capitals would begin in Selkirk for Game 1 next weekend. But a lot can happen from now, until tonight at 10:00 PM. The Oil Capitals play in Waywayseecappo tonight at 7:30. The other game on the docket in the MJHL, is the Winnipeg Blues at the Swan Valley Stampeders at 6:30. If the Oil Capitals win, their fate will be sealed in playing the Selkirk Steelers, with the Steelers fielding home ice advantage. Any combination of an Oil Capitals loss and a Winnipeg Blues win, the club would be playing a rematch of last year’s final, the Steinbach Pistons, again with Pistons having home ice advantage.
The Tundra Oil and Gas Place was hopping last night, with 898 fans in attendance. The club honoured four year vet and your captain, Ben Dalke, with a presentation in which Dalke will be leaving the club as the team’s all-time leader in regular season goals and points. A fitting presentation for a great young man.
Dauphin opened things up in the 1st, when Riley Shamray potted his 13th of the season on a nice tic tac toe play, putting the Kings up 1-0 early. Not to be outdone, the line of Einarson, Belcher, and Cloutier, (17th, 12th, and 23rd respectively) all scored before the 1st period ended. The Kings did reply with another, when Eamonn Miller netted his 12th of the year. The teams went to the 1stintermission with the home town leading 3-2.
Einarson netted his 18th of the year in the 2nd period extending Virden’s lead by two after two periods of play. The 2nd period was a penalty filled affair, with 7 minors and a major for fighting to Virden’s, Austin Johnston.
The 3rd was a back and forth affair. Both teams scored two goals. Virden’s, Most Improved Player of the year, Tristan Thompson, netted his 11th of the year, while Hunter Cloutier netted his second of the night, for his 24th on the campaign. Riley Shamray and Ian Tookenay replied for the visitors.
In the 6-4 victory, the Oil Capitals were outshot 34-28 by the Kings. Dalton Dosch was solid in the win, making 30 saves. Ethan Slobodzian stopped 22 in the losing cause.
Oil Caps Tid Bits: Brock Shwaluk, UBI, is day to day. Parker Brakebill and Dylan Halliday didn’t dress. Hunter Cloutier will be dressing in his 100th game as an Oil Capital tonight in Wayway. 20-year old, Tristen Cross will be dressing in his 187th regular season game tonight, in his illustrious career as an Oil Capital.