DAUPHIN, MB - For the first time in history the Dauphin Kings and Northern Manitoba Blizzard will face off for the Turnbull Cup.
The MJHL's recent rule changes in the post season have made this matchup possible with the second round crossover. In round two the Blizzard faced the top ranked Winkler Flyers while the Kings met the Portage Terriers.
For the Kings they took out the Terriers in six games, winning game six on home ice in thrilling fashion, a 3-2 overtime victory.
The Blizzard, meanwhile, dispatched the Winkler Flyers in just four games. Basically all of the meetings were one goal affairs until late in the game with the Blizzard scoring either an empty netter or in the final minute of three of the four contests.
During the regular season Dauphin and NorMan split their meetings with each team winning three games.
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Tonight's game is also taking place during the Dauphin Kings' annual Prospects Camp! We'd like to welcome all the prospects and their parents to the game this evening! In tonight's first intermission the M&M Food Market Express Puck Toss returns with the pot beginning at $525.00! Don't forget to grab your FREE noisemaker when you come into the building! Don't like all the noise? Free ear plugs will be available as well.
Puck drop is at 7:30pm!
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Be sure to follow the Kings on social media throughout tonight's tilt for updates!
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Come back after the game for the Dusty's Butcher Shop Post Game Report!
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TONIGHT'S MATCH UP
The last time the Dauphin Kings and Northern Manitoba Blizzard met in the MJHL Playoffs was not long ago. Last season the Blizzard beat the Kings in seven games. It was a series that saw the teams play a few lengthy overtime games, including game seven which went to three OT's while game six went five OTs.
Before last year's series the Kings and Blizzard had not met in the post season since 2014. That year Dauphin shut out the then OCN Blizzard in four straight games, not allowing any goals against and scoring 16 in the process.
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SPECIAL TEAMS
In the first series for the Kings Special Teams were not a major factor against the Waywayseecappo Wolverines. In the second round against Portage man advantages became more important. It won't be a surprise if Special Teams are a key piece to finding a winner in this best-of-seven set. Dauphin's Power Play enters this series with NorMan sitting at 23.1% while their Penalty Kill is at 82.9%.
On the flip side the Blizzard have numbers that are quite strong as well. On the Power Play Northern Manitoba is at 23.5% while on the Penalty Kill they are 91.2%. NorMan has given up three PP goals against while Dauphin has seven. The Kings (9) have one more goal on the man advantage than the Blizzard (8).
LEADING SCORERS
The Dauphin Kings have a handful of players near the top of the MJHL's Playoff Scoring List. Coming into game one of this series Cayden Glover (3G, 7A) leads them with 10 points. After that the Kings have nine players with five points or more through 11 playoff games. They include Matthew Thomas (5G, 4A), Havryil Simchuk (4G, 5A), Gabriel Bugeaud (3G, 6A), Ethan Williment (2G, 6A), Gavin Nemis (4G, 2A), Ethan Stewart (2G, 4A), Matthew Haun (1G, 5A) and Naaman Hofer (5A).
For the Blizzard they have seven players with five points or more through nine playoff games. Leading the way is Marlen Edwards with four goals and five assists for nine points. After that it's Tyler Dahms (1G, 8A), Quincy Supprien (5G, 3A), Miguel Bouvier (1G, 6A), Loughlan McMullan (1G, 5A), Cheechoo Lathlin (3G, 2A) and Hugo Larkin (2G, 3A).
In total the Kings have scored 31 goals in 11 games (2.82 per game) while the Blizzard have 29 in nine outings (3.22 per game).
Cole Sheffield is 8-3 through 11 games with a .934 save percentage and a 2.04 goals against average while Taye Timmerman is 8-1 through nine games with a .934 save percentage and a 1.79 goals against average.
