DAUPHIN, MB – The Dauphin Kings will see a number of their prospects hit the ice for the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League’s Championship Series.
Beginning on Thursday the (2) Yellowhead Cheifs will face off with the (1) Winnipeg Wild in Winnipeg. It’s the first time in 21 years (1996) that the Chiefs will compete for the league title. Meanwhile, the Wild were in last year’s championship final where they took out the Eastman Selects in five contests.
Regardless of the result in this best of five series the Kings will see some of their prospects attend the Telus Cup Midget West Regional which will feature the top teams from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northern Ontario and the host who are the Eastman Selects this season. The tournament will be held in Steinbach.
The regular season series between Winnipeg and Yellowhead saw both teams win two games. The Chiefs took the first two while the Wild won the next two.
Here’s the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League Championship Schedule:
Thursday Mar 16 – Yellowhead @ Winnipeg – WPG 2-1OT
Saturday Mar 18 – Winnipeg @ Yellowhead – WPG 4-1
Monday Mar 20 – Yellowhead @ Winnipeg – WPG 3-1
The Winnipeg Wild have had ups and downs this post season.
Winnipeg cruised through the opening round, taking out the Parkland Rangers in three straight games. Outscoring the Rangers 21-7 in the series.
In the league semi finals the Wild went back and forth with the Eastman Selects, with the home team winning each game. In the fifth and deciding tilt Winnipeg edged Eastman 1-0 at the MTS Iceplex to move on to the championship series.
Kings Prospects:
The Kings boast two prospects on the Winnipeg Wild heading into this series. On the forward side of the puck Dauphin sees their 3rd round draft pick (25th overall) from this past summer’s MJHL Draft in Selkirk. Mitchell Joss has two points in eight playoff games. The Winnipeg product was 5th on the Wild in goals this season with 19, impressive for a 15 year old. On the defensive side of the puck is Alec Borger who has an assist in eight playoff contests. During the regular season the 17 year old was very steady, putting up two goals and 14 assists for 16 points in 37 contests.
The Yellowhead Cheifs have yet to lose in the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League’s Post Season.
The Chiefs disposed of the Central Plains Capitals in three games and then most recently took out the Brandon AAA Wheat Kings in three contests as well.
The first series against Central Plains was much closer if you look at the numbers. All three contests were one goal games. Against Brandon two of the three affairs were decided by one goal with the third tilt seeing Yellowhead win 7-4.
Kings Prospects:
All three Kings prospects on the Chiefs have multiple points. Forrest, MB product Jaxon Heeney is fourth on the team in playoff scoring with three goals and four assists in six games. D-man Ryder Richmond, also of Forrest, is not far behind with a goal and four assists so far. St. Lazare Forward Eric Lamoine has a goal and two assists in six outings.