The Oil Caps dropped a 2-1 decision to the Kings in Dauphin on Saturday night in what was Virden’s last game before their Christmas break.
Oil Caps captain Ben Dalke opened the scoring at the 2:09 mark of the first period on the power play as Virden wound up carrying a 1-0 lead into the third period. However, the Kings replied with two tallies of their own as Kolby Johnson’s fourth of the year tied the contest and later, Riley Buller’s eighth of the season with the man advantage wound up being the game winner.
“We got up early and got through that first period but took our foot off the gas in the second,” said Tyson Ramsey, Oil Caps assistant coach. “We were outworked and outskated, however we managed to get through 40 minutes up 1-0. In the third, we couldn’t capitalize on some good chances and then they got some momentum with the power play goal and we couldn’t recover. Even though we didn’t get this one tonight, we’re still very proud of our group for the first half they’ve put together. We’ll take a much-needed break and look forward to the second half.”
Ethan Slobodzian picked up the win in net for Dauphin, stopping 25 shots, while Dalton Dosch took the loss for Virden, turning aside 26 pucks directed his way. Dauphin improved to 18-16-2-2 on the year, while Virden dropped to 19-12-2-4 and are four points up on the Kings for fifth place in the MJHL standings.
“I thought that the boys came out in the first period with full intentions of going home for the break with a win, but the second period and some of the third was another story,” said Oil Caps forward Kolten Kanaski. “They capitalized on their chances on the power play, while we couldn’t seem to solve their netminder. In the end however, we couldn’t be happier with our past couple months and are eager to see what’s in store for 2019.”
Next up for the Oil Caps: Jan. 3 against the Waywayseecappo Wolverines in Virden.
Dalke reaches 200 MJHL game milestone
The Oil Caps would like to congratulate four-year forward and captain Ben Dalke for reaching the 200-game milestone in the MJHL.
“It’s a very special moment for me, especially to play all 200 here with Virden,” Dalke said. “I’m honoured to be in the same company as a couple of my good friends Mack Hardy, Dylan Thiessen and Devan Schram.”