They were excellent defensively on Tuesday and the Dauphin Kings will need much of that same effort on Friday night.
As they start their final home-and-home of the season, Dauphin hits the road to play at Stride Place against the Portage Terriers on Friday evening. Dauphin has faired well against the Centennial-Cup hosts this year as they have won both games, one in regulation and the other in a shootout.
Dauphin is just one point ahead of Waywayseecappo entering Friday’s game after the Wolverines put up an eight-spot against the Blues on Thursday night. The Wolverines host Winnipeg once again on Saturday.
Dauphin has won two straight games on the road and three of their final four games come away from Credit Union Place.
Portage finds the back of the net more than any other team in the league as they have scored 236 goals which are 22 more than Steinbach and 33 more than Swan Valley. They play a very fast game and have shown signs of complete brilliance.
Following Friday, the two teams will return to Dauphin for a game on Saturday.
Player to Watch – Dauphin – Mathew Gough
Gough scored two more goals on Tuesday as his recent play has been extremely promising.
The 20-year-old now has nine points over his last four games as he continues to lead Dauphin offensively. Gough is winning battles, he’s winning races and finding a way to help Dauphin win each and every night. If the Kings wish to have success this weekend, Gough will have to be front and centre.
2022-23 Stats: 24 goals, 28 assists
Player to Watch – Portage – Ryan Botterill
What Lucas Brennan of the Selkirk Steelers has done with the stick on his puck this season has been impressive. What Ryan Botterill has done is equally as impressive.
Ryan’s 41 goals are the most in the league and his 66 points also rank in the top five. Botterill is lethal on the power play as he has 16 goals while on the man advantage. Ryan has great speed, a great hockey IQ, he has a great release, and is always looking to find some open space.
2022-23 Stats: 41 goals, 25 assists