The Dauphin Kings have lost two straight games for the first time this season; however, they have the opportunity to get back in the win column on Friday night after a hard week of practice.
Still in first place in the West Division, Dauphin makes their way to the big city to play the second place team in the East Division, the Winnipeg Blues. Entering this weekend, Dauphin has a four point lead over Waywayseecappo for the top spot in the West.
Winnipeg enters the weekend also on a slide, more so than Dauphin. The Blues have lost two straight and four of their last five. They were swept by the Neepawa Titans last weekend, Neepawa is sixth place in the East Division. Dauphin also beat Winnipeg at the league’s showcase, 5-2.
Garrett Hrechka had the hot stick for Dauphin last weekend scoring two times.
“He’s sure working hard at practice, he wants to get better,” said Doug Hedley, head coach and general manager. “He had one of the best shifts we’ve had all season long when he scored on Saturday night, we’re seeing that improvement every day.”
A big key for Dauphin this weekend will be stopping Winnipeg’s top three scorers. Josiah Vanderhooft, Brayden Foreman and Erik Fawkes are the top three in league scoring with 44, 43 and 45 points, respectively. They have combined for 13 power play goals and when they’re running on all cylinders, they are tough to beat. The team recently lost Caden Zaplitny who signed his standard player agreement with the Western Hockey League’s Everett Silvertips.
“They’re a team that capitalizes on many of their chances so we need to be really defensively aware the entire game,” offered Hedley.”
By the numbers:
Dauphin:
GF – 102
GA – 58
PP% – 23.7
PK% – 87.7
Leaders – Kaden Bryant 30 points, Colby Jaquet 30 points
Road record – 10-3
Winnipeg:
GF – 99
GA – 68
PP% – 14.8
PK% – 88.5
Leaders – Fawkes 45 points, Vanderhooft 44 points, Foreman 43 points
Home record – 9-4-0-1