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Oil Caps Loss Solidifies Playoff Positioning

The Virden Oil Capitals dropped a 5-3 decision on home ice tonight against the OCN Blizzard which now solidifies their spot in 5th in the final MJHL standings.

The Blizzard jumped on the board first with a goal from Brayden Cullum, 3:10 into the opening frame. Virden responded with the equalizer 11 minutes later with Soren Frederiksen’s 31st of the season on a set up from Devan Schram and Ben Williams.

Then it was Torrin Grange who netted his first as an Oil Caps to give Virden a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes. Taylor Fisher extended the lead to 3-1 in the second period with a blast from the point on his 7th of the year.

However, the Blizzard would get a pair of goals from Brady Keeper and Brendan Barron just 44 seconds apart to tie the game up at 3-3 after 40 minutes.

OCN took over the game’s lead with a short handed marker from Bryce MacInnis, 5:38 into the third period. The Oil Caps had several chances throughout the rest of the period, outshooting the Blizzard 12 to 2 in the frame, but it was OCN who would seal it with an empty netter to make the final, 5-3.

The Oil Caps outshot the Blizzard 34-16 on the evening, but went 0-for-6 with the man advantage. OCN were 1-for-4 on the power play on the evening.

Virden will finish the regular season in fifth and will face the Winkler Flyers in the first round of the MJHL playoffs. No schedule has been set yet for the first round, but watch for the schedule to be released later this week. Information on purchasing playoff tickets will also be released later in the week.

Jim & Karen Moser are presented with their MLL Billet of the Month award by their players, Kurt Johnas and Cole Oliver.

Jim & Karen Moser are presented with their MLL Billet of the Month award by their players, Kurt Johnas and Cole Oliver.

The Oil Caps would like to congratulate Laura Reid of Virden. She was the recipient of tonight’s Trip for 4 to Phoenix, AZ in the Pack the Place II Vacation Giveaway presented by All Season Properties and flight partners Demon Energy Services, Force Rentals, Morris Sales & Service, and Kubota. Thank you to everyone who attended and entered the free draw over the course of the last five games.

The Oil Caps would also like to thank Richard Ward, Brian Johnston, and Brad Hayward for competing in tonight’s Sunrise Credit Union $50,000 Hockey Challenge. Unfortunately, no one went home $50,000 richer, but all three received a Sunrise Credit Union gift pack for qualifying for the finals.

Prior to tonight’s game, the Oil Caps recognized Jim and Karen Moser as the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Billet of the Month for March. The Moser family have been billets for three seasons and currently share their home with Kurt Johnas and Cole Oliver.

Ray Walker of BigFM.ca drops the puck during tonight's ceremonial face-off before calling his last regular season home game for the Oil Caps.

Ray Walker of BigFM.ca drops the puck during tonight’s ceremonial face-off before calling his last regular season home game for the Oil Caps.

The game was officially started tonight with a ceremonial face-off from the voice of the Oil Caps, Ray Walker of BigFM.ca. Ray has been the team’s play-by-play caller for the last three seasons and has decided to step away from the mic next year. You’ll be able to listen to Ray throughout the playoffs as usual on BigFM.ca.