DAUPHIN, MB - The Dauphin Kings passed the weekend with flying colours, earning four of a possible four points and beating the Oil Capitals 4-3 Saturday night in Virden.
The first period saw the two teams start slow with just a couple of shots from each side in the opening 10 minutes. With less than five minutes to play in the frame Josh Schmidt (8) scored his second goal in as many games to open things up with Madden Murray and Ty Pratte drawing the assists. Dauphin ended up with three man advantage opportunities in the first period but failed to score on them. They took their 1-0 lead to the intermission, outshooting Virden 11-6 in the first.
Seven minutes and 19 seconds into the second period the Kings would extend their lead when a Kurtis Kinoshita (2) shot would bounce its way home. Ethan Stewart would extend his point streak to 12 games with the first assist on the goal. Virden would cut Dauphin's lead in half with just under seven minutes to play in the period. The Kings would see their lead evaporate three minutes later, but less than a minute after that Madden Murray (14) would restore Dauphin's lead to 3-2 after 40.
The third saw the Kings gain some insurance when Wyatt Dyck (11) tipped in a Brody Wytinck point shot 6:20 into the frame. With 7:28 to play Virden would score on a Power Play opportunity to make it 4-3 Kings, but Hunter Bauer would stand tall the rest of the way and the Kings would pick up the two points.
Shots finished with Virden ahead 28-18.
Special Teams saw the Kings go 0 for 4 on the Power Play and 2 for 3 on the Penalty Kill.
The Kings are now 31-23-2-0 on the season and need just one point in their next two games to clinch 2nd place in the MJHL's West Division which will come with home ice advantage in the first round of the post season. They're now five points clear of Waywayseecappo.
Next for the Kings is a contest in The Pas with the Northern Manitoba Blizzard on Tuesday. Opening face off is slated for 7:00pm.
DON'T FORGET: The Kings final regular season home game is Saturday March 14th. It's Awards and Rain Check Night. That means any unused season tickets and flex tickets can be used to get into the game! PLUS Fusion Credit Union has seeded the 50/50 and it's already over $2000.00!
#ForTheCrown
