DAUPHIN, MB - Ethan Stewart scored in the shootout and Hunter Bauer stood tall as the Dauphin Kings beat the Virden Oil Capitals 6-5 Saturday night at Credit Union Place.

The first 20 minutes saw the Kings play well and jump out to a 1-0 lead when Ty Pratte (5) scored just under five minutes in. The Oil Capitals would push back however, scoring the next two before Josh Schmidt (6) got Dauphin back on even terms to close out the period.

In the second the Kings would fall behind 4-2 by the 12 minute mark, but they'd chip away at the Virden lead. First it was Ash Mitchelmore (9), followed by Aiden Murray (3) and then Dylan Miko (2) picked up his second goal in three games to make it 5-4 Dauphin going to the third.

The third had Virden tying things up late to send things to overtime and eventually a shootout.

Ethan Stewart was Dauphin's final shooter and the lone player to score in the breakaway contest. Hunter Bauer stopped all the shots he faced. In the end he turned away 30 of 35 shots while the Kings fired 43 on the Virden goal.

Special Teams were very quiet. Dauphin had one man advantage and didn't score while the Oil Capitals did not get a chance on the Power Play.

Before Dauphin's game had ended the Swan Valley Stampeders fell in regulation on home ice to Steinbach, meaning the Kings had clinched a playoff berth Saturday night.

The Kings are now 28-21-2-0 on the year and find themselves back in sole possession of second place in the MJHL's West Division.

Dauphin won't return to action until Friday when they visit the Neepawa Titans. Game time at the Yellowhead Arena is 7:30pm. The next Kings home game is Sunday March 1st when they welcome the Portage Terriers to town at 4:00pm!

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