DAUPHIN, MB - The Dauphin Kings have snapped their losing streak and gained significant confidence in the process, beating the Pistons in Steinbach Friday night 7-4.
Aside from the first period it was one of Dauphin's best games of the season as they battled back multiple times over the evening.
In the opening period most of the action didn't come until the second half when the Pistons scored on their first Power Play. Then moments later, when the Kings gained a man advantage, they were scored on again. Dauphin did have some high quality chances in the first period but couldn't get anything on the scoreboard.
The second saw the Kings come out strong. First Ethan Stewart (9) tallied off a great tip in front and then shortly after Matthew O'Sullivan (19) scored his first as a King thanks to a great pass from Sheldon Shyiak. Steinbach would retake the lead 7:27 into the frame. Dauphin would then get a number of Power Play chances with the Pistons taking six penalties in the final 12 minutes of the period. Daniel Helary (14) would capitalize for Dauphin, evening up the score. Kurtis Kinoshita would pick up his first point as a King in the process. The Revelstoke, BC forward, playing in his first game for the Kings, had three assists on Friday. The two teams would head to their rooms tied at three.
Less than two minutes in to the third period the Kings took a penalty and Steinbach scored to go ahead 4-3. Luckily for the Kings the Pistons took a penalty moments later and Ty Pratte (3) would squeak one through to get his team back on even terms just over four minutes in. Then Ethan Stewart (10) scored his second of the night on another Dauphin Power Play. Nicholas Zaharias (10) followed that up less than a minute later giving the Kings insurance.
After gaining a 6-4 lead Hunter Bauer was very good in goal. The Kings would close out the night with an empty netter from Wyatt Dyck (7).
Hunter Bauer gave up maybe one goal he'd like to have back, but was sensational in the win for Dauphin. He stopped 46 of 50 shots while the Kings had 31.
Special Teams had Dauphin going 3 for 9 on the Power Play against a very undisciplined Steinbach team. The Pistons were 2 for 4.
The Kings conclude their two game in two night weekend tomorrow night in Winkler. Dauphin is now 21-14-1-0 on the season and sit back in 1st in the West Division with 43 points. One ahead of Virden. Game time Saturday in Winkler is 7:30pm!
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