The Virden Oil Capitals continued their strong play in January as the club blanked the Steelers by a score of 4-0 in Selkirk on Friday night.
Kyle Salaway opened the scoring late in the first period, netting his 20th of the season at the 19:24 mark to make it 1-0 after 20 minutes. The Oil Capitals rode the momentum into the middle frame as Kirklan Lycar picked up his 10th of the year just 27 seconds into the second before Rylee Zimmer’s 17th tally at 6:28 and blueliner Tristen Cross’s sixth at 17:26 made it 4-0 after 40 minutes.
The Oil Caps were able to hold off the Steelers in the third, and in the process, were able to pick up their fifth win in six games this month. Virden netminder Dalton Dosch wound up with the shutout, turning aside 28 shots in the win.
“It was a bit of a slow start but Dosch held us in there and made some good saves and kept us in it,” said Oil Caps head coach and GM Troy Leslie. “The late goal helped and the momentum rolled right into the second period. We were able to do a fairly solid job in the third of playing well defensively and getting pucks deep.”
Leslie praised the work of the Zimmer, Lycar and Landyn Cochrane line. The forward group has played well as of late and wound up combining for five points tonight.
“There’s some speed on that line and they all handle the puck well,” Leslie said. “Guys make plays to each other and right now, they’re shooting a lot as well, which helps that line. They’re being really effective right now based on their performances the past few games.”
The club will now have a few days off with the club’s next game scheduled for next Thursday night in Virden against the Portage Terriers.
“We just got to make sure that we keep this momentum rolling and get some rest here over the next few days and get ready to go again next week,” Leslie concluded.
Extra Notes:
-Tonight was Dalton Dosch’s first shutout this season and 10th win this year.
-Hayden Dola took the loss between the pipes for Selkirk, stopping 32 of 36 shots.