DAUPHIN, MB - It's almost the middle of February but the Dauphin Kings will make their first to Niverville this season tonight when they take on the Nighthawks.
It's the first meeting of the season between the two teams. The Kings are coming off that shootout loss to Steinbach Friday night while the Nighthawks have been idle since Sunday when they picked up a 3-1 win over Waywayseecappo.
Game time tonight from the Niverville Recreation Centre is 7:00pm!
Be sure to follow the Kings on social media throughout tonight's tilt for updates!
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Instagram
Come back after the game for the Dusty's Butcher Shop Post Game Report!
#ForTheCrown
TONIGHT'S MATCH UP
KINGS (28-11-1-1) - 1st in West
Even though they lost in a shootout Friday night the Dauphin Kings still created some more separation between themselves and the Northern Manitoba Blizzard. Norman lost to Neepawa Friday while that single point now gives Dauphin a seven point advantage on the Blizzard and they still have two games in hand. Norman faces Neepawa again tonight in The Pas.
Meanwhile, the Kings can get one step closer to clinching a playoff spot. If Dauphin wins tonight they'll be a little further away from the Waywayseecappo Wolverines who currently sit 5th in the West Division. The most points they can get to is 63, while the Kings are at 58 making Dauphin's current magic number 2.5.
Special Teams weren't great in Dauphin's shootout loss to Steinbach. Their Power Play is now 3rd in the league at 24.6% while their Penalty Kills ranks 7th at 80.3%.
Cayden Glover remains out which means Naaman Hofer (5G, 39A) is the active player that currently leads the Kings in points with 44.
NIGHTHAWKS (25-13-2-1) - 4th in East
As mentioned the Niverville Nighthawks have not seen action since Sunday, so they will be well rested coming into this evening's affair. Over the next few weeks the Kings and Nighthawks will meet four times, that includes three times in the next two weeks.
Niverville is in a difficult spot as they do occupy the East Division's final playoff spot, but they're 10 points back of Portage for third and eight points up on Selkirk. It's likely at this point that the Nighthawks will make the post season and remain in the fourth and final playoff spot barring a major collapse or winning streak.
Niverville's Special Teams will be a good test for the Kings. Their Power Play is ranked 4th in the MJHL at 23.4% while their Penalty Kill sits 2nd at 85.4%.
Adam Vigfusson (25G, 28A) leads the Nighthawks in scoring entering tonight's game, he has 53 points.