Rick Hiebert Kings Return Home After Two Week Hiatus
DAUPHIN, MB – After six straight games on the road, the Dauphin Kings are back at Credit Union Place Sunday with a chance to turn the page and take down a familiar opponent.
The Kings welcome the Virden Oil Capitals for their first home game since October 2nd. It’s the second meeting between the clubs in five days, giving Dauphin an opportunity to answer Wednesday’s setback in Virden with their own fans behind them.
As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, come out and support the “Waves of Hope Drag-on Boat Team”. The group was formed in 1999 as Canada’s 12th dragon boat team for breast cancer survivors. They are based out of Minnedosa and practice on Lake Minnedosa. Members meet to celebrate life and to pursue better health through fitness, sport, social events and breast cancer outreach activities. “Hope in Our Backyard” is a multi-year fundraising campaign supporting breast cancer re-search currently being conducted at Brandon University. Head up to the table by the concession to get more details and support this worthy cause!
In the first intermission at tonight's game the M&M Food Market Express Puck Toss is back!
Opening face off at Credit Union Place is slated for 4:00pm!
BUY 50/50 TICKETS FOR TONIGHT'S GAME HERE!
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!
#WeAreAllKings
TONIGHT'S MATCHUP
KINGS (5-5-2-0)
A return home comes at a good time for Dauphin.
The Kings finished their longest road swing with seven of a possible 12 points, but losses in Virden and Winkler have them looking for a response. Tate Barnaby provided a bright spot Friday, making 40 saves in a 3-0 loss and keeping Dauphin within a goal until past the midway mark of the third period.
Sunday begins a stretch featuring six of eight games at Credit Union Place. Dauphin makes a quick trip to Swan River Tuesday before returning home to host the Winnipeg Monarchs Friday, October 23rd. It’s an opportunity to build momentum with considerably more time in familiar surroundings.
Special teams give the Kings something to build on. Updating their totals through Friday, Dauphin’s power play sits at 23.9% (11-for-46), while the penalty kill is 83.3% (35-for-42). The Kings have killed all eight opposition opportunities over their last two games, including all three against the Oil Capitals.
Brody Green leads the Kings with 14 points on six goals and eight assists. Quinten Fisk has eight goals and four assists for 12 points, while Bennett Muller also has 12 points, with five goals and seven assists. Muller scored both of Dauphin’s power-play goals in Wednesday’s meeting with Virden.
OIL CAPITALS (9-1-0-0)
Virden arrives riding nine consecutive wins after defeating Niverville 6-1 Friday. Cole Dupuis scored twice as the Oil Capitals followed Wednesday’s victory over Dauphin with another strong offensive performance.
Sunday opens four consecutive road games for Virden. Visits to Niverville October 23rd, Selkirk October 24th and Waywayseecappo October 27th follow before the Oil Capitals return home to face Swan Valley October 30th.
The Oil Capitals went 2-for-6 on the power play Friday, but Dauphin won the special-teams battle in Wednesday’s meeting, scoring twice on four chances while holding Virden scoreless on three. Repeating that advantage would give the Kings an important foothold in the rematch.
Tyson Draper leads Virden with 18 points, recording nine goals and nine assists. Three players follow with nine points each: Liam Goertzen has six goals and three assists, Carson Wright has four goals and five assists, and Christian Pitz has two goals and seven assists.