DAUPHIN, MB - The Dauphin Kings battled back from a 2-0 deficit to pick up an important point in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Niverville Nighthawks Saturday night.
Once again the Dauphin Kings failed to start on time. In the opening seven minutes of the contest they were out heavily out shot 7-1 and spotted Niverville a 1-0 lead. After that the Kings came alive. They would get a man advantage and out shoot Niverville 8-2 in the seven minute stretch following but could not score. In the final six minutes the Nighthawks would get their first Power Play and the Kings Penalty Kill stood tall. Niverville would take the 1-0 lead to the intermission.
The first half of the second period saw play being pretty even with both teams getting chances. Just before the midway point of the period a shot from the blue line found its way through to give Niverville a 2-0 advantage. The period would wind down and the Kings would get a 5-on-3 late in the frame and Matthew Thomas (14) would tally to make it a 2-1 Niverville lead heading to the final frame.
In the third the Kings came out strong and Gavin Nemis' (11) great play all night was rewarded when he was set up by Joey Kubas in the slot. The line of Bugeaud, Nemis and Kubas was arguably Dauphin's best Saturday. The teams would trade great chances the rest of the way but neither could end it.
The game would go to overtime where the Kings would not have possession once and eventually Niverville would end it just over a minute into the extra frame.
Bryson Yaschyshyn was one of Dauphin's best players. He stopped 36 shots on the night while his team put 36 shots on the Niverville goal.
Dauphin's Special Teams were good on Saturday. Their Power Play went 1 for 4 while their Penalty Kill finished 3 for 3.
The OT loss puts Dauphin at 31-15-2-1 on the season. They are six points ahead of Northern Manitoba for top spot in the West Division and even in games.
The Kings play one more game before they get a break in their recently intense schedule. That game is tomorrow evening when they visit the Winnipeg Blues. The contest has an early puck drop at 6:00pm.
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