Be on Time! Advertising Deadline: 12 Noon on Tuesday

Empire-Advance is closed from Dec. 19, 2025 - Jan. 5, 2026
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Friday, December 19, 2025

For PDF version of this week paper, please click here...

The Virden Oil Capitals earned three of a possible four standings points on the road last week.

The Oil Caps beat the Dauphin Kings 5-1. They fell 3-2 in overtime to the Neepawa Titans.

“We’re pleased to get three of four points on the weekend, although we feel like we left a point on the table in Neepawa,” Virden head coach Tyson Ramsey said. “I thought we played a real good road game in Dauphin and really stuck to our plan and capitalized on our chances.”

As of Dec. 16, the Oil Capitals had a 16-10-1-0 record. With 33 points, they sat tied for second in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s MGEU West Division with the Titans. Dauphin led with 37 points.

The Oil Capitals wrap up their 2025 schedule this week playing the Swan Valley Stampeders on the road on Dec. 18 and hosting the Stamps on Dec. 19. The Virden team opens its 2026 schedule in The Pas on Jan. 3 against the Northern Manitoba Blizzard.

Worthington Wins Silver

Oil Capitals forward Colten Worthington helped Team Canada West earn the silver medals at the World Junior A Challenge. The event ran Dec. 7-13 in Trois-Rivières, Que. Team Canada West fell 5-1 in the gold medal game to the United States. Sweden beat Team Canada East 5-1 for bronze.

“I thought we were right in the fight the whole game, and we cannot be prouder of our players because our work ethic and structure was there,” Team Canada West head coach Trevor Blevins stated on the Hockey Canada website. “[The United States] are very skilled, and we cannot take anything away from them, but our guys can hold their heads high. It was a great experience for our players, and it was awesome to be part of this tournament.”

While Worthington was away, the Oil Capitals were also without Cohen Lewko. The rookie forward was recalled by the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey

League. Lewko played in three games for the Blades Dec. 12-14.

Oil Caps 5, Kings 1

The Oil Capitals lit the lamp twice in the first period and three times in the second on their way to a 5-1 victory over the Kings on Dec. 12. Liam Goertzen scored twice and recorded an assist. He was named the First Star. Virden’s own Bryce Bryant had two goals and was the Third Star. One of his goals came on the power play. Defenceman Maddox Shindle scored and had two assists. He was rewarded with the Second Star. It was not until the third period that Oil Caps goalie Braxton Burdeny allowed a goal. He had 33 saves.

Justin Perreault stopped 37 shots for Dauphin. Havryil Simchuk scored the Kings’ goal.

Titans 3, Oil Caps 2 OT

On Dec. 14, Oil Capitals defenceman Rhylan Baxter scored on the power play to knot the contest at 2-2. That allowed the Oil Capitals to force overtime and earn a point in the standings.

Virden had scored first in the game with veteran Noel Englot getting his ninth of the year. In the last two minutes of the opening frame, Neepawa’s Cooper Kasprick tied things up at 1-1. Neither team scored in the second period. The Titans took a 2-1 lead in the third period when Kyle Weisgarber scored shorthanded.

“In Neepawa, our first was just OK, and then we took the game over in the second and just couldn't find the back of the net,” Ramsey said. “Tough to give up the shorthanded goal in the third, but happy to see the powerplay tie the game up. In overtime, we had a player fall creating a two-on-one and they capitalized. Some bad luck there, but I thought it was a good performance by our group.”

Burdeny made 22 saves. For the Titans, Alex Myers turned away 33 shots.

It was the 150th contest in the MJHL for Virden hometown captain Ty Plaisier.

Oil Capitals earn points on the road

By Robin Wark