DAUPHIN, MB – The Dauphin Kings played a solid 60 minute effort Wednesday and it paid off in a 3-1 victory over the OCN Blizzard at Credit Union Place.
The Kings were led by Matteo Esposito in net who turned aside 31 of the 32 shots he faced on the night. The 19 year old didn’t allow a goal against until the final half of the third period. The victory is also Esposito’s first between the pipes as a King. He’s also on a two game point streak following assists in his last two starts. Dauphin had 34 shots on the OCN net.
Grady Hobbs kept the ball rolling on the offensive side of the puck. Scoring his second goal in as many games. The three goal second period continued when Riese Gaber notched his eighth of the season and then Kyle Oleksiuk (6) flicked one home to give Dauphin a 3-0 advantage. As mentioned the Blizzard scored their lone goal in the third period.
Both teams had a handful of Power Plays on Wednesday, but neither were able to hit the back of the net. OCN went 0 for 5 while Dauphin was 0 for 4.
The win kicks off a six game home stand on a high for the Kings. They’ll regroup and get set for the Nutters & Dauphin Vet Clinic Teddy Bear Toss on Friday against the Winkler Flyers! Opening face off is 7:30pm, and don’t forget your stuffed animals!
#StandWithUs
PERIOD 1
No Scoring
PERIOD 2
Dauphin Kings at 4:45 - Grady Hobbs from Matteo Esposito
Dauphin Kings at 10:52 - Riese Gaber from Daniel Chartrand and Matthew Greening
Dauphin Kings at 14:52 - Kyle Oleksiuk from Grady Hobbs and Brendan Arnold
PERIOD 3
OCN Blizzard at 15:16 - Brayden Dale from Maverick Rafter