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Friday, February 13, 2026

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The Virden Oil Capitals continued to rack up the wins last week.

With a trio of victories, they extended their winning streak to 11 games. Win number 11 was a 1-0 victory over the Manitoba Junior Hockey League-leading Niverville Nighthawks.

“We like a lot about our game right now,” Virden head coach Tyson Ramsey said. “I think we are getting contributions from up and down our lineup and we have gained a confidence that when we play the right way we can have success against anyone. Our ability to stick to our game plan no matter what happens in the course of a shift, period or game has been important. When we are fast, physical and structured we are a tough team to play against.”

As of Feb. 9, the Oil Caps led the MJHL MGEU West Division with a 29-10-2-0 record. They hosted the Selkirk Steelers on Feb. 10 after the Empire-Advance deadline. The Oil Capitals play in Winkler on Feb. 13 and Neepawa on Feb. 15. The Winkler Flyers visit on Feb. 16.

In front of a crowd of 801 in Niverville on Feb. 7, rookie Tyson Ulmer scored 11:26 into the third period to lift the Oil Caps to victory. The Virden team had been defending in its own end when an opponent lost the puck.

“Brooks (Siemens) picked it up and sent me on a breakaway behind their defencemen,” Ulmer said. “I had the puck on my forehand, realized that I wouldn’t be able to get a quality shot on goal before the backchecker caught me, so I quickly pulled it to my backhand and flipped it past the goalie’s left shoulder as he was sliding to his right.

“The goal was obviously huge for us as it gave us the lead with under nine minutes to go against a very strong Niverville team, and it ended up being the difference in a very tight-checking game. We’re obviously pumped taking down a team like Niverville, and I think that game serves as a statement for our group, that we can play with and beat anyone when we’re at our best.”

Virden goalie Braxton Burdeny made 33 saves to earn his fifth shutout of the season. He was the game’s First Star. Defenceman Nathan Schaefer earned the third star.

The Oil Capitals outscored the visiting Dauphin Kings, 3-1, in the second period on the way to a 7-5 victory on Feb. 7. The contest had been knotted 2-2 after 20 minutes of play. The Oil Capitals scored on three of its seven power play opportunities. The hosts killed off all three of Dauphin’s power plays.

Virden’s own Bryce Bryant racked up four points with a goal and three assists. London Hoilett was the game’s First Star. He had a goal and an assist as did Colten Worthington, the Second Star; Cohen Lewko; Ulmer; and Austin Osiowy. Carson Wright also scored. Schaefer had two assists. Micky Gross made 24 saves as Virden won in front of 817 fans.

A three-goal second period helped the Oil Capitals beat the Northern Manitoba Blizzard 5-3 on Feb. 4 in The Pas. The teams were tied at 1-1 after one period. Virden led 4-2 after two.

Bryant, the First Star, registered a goal and two assists. Colten Wright was the third star with a goal and an assist. Worthington, Liam Goertzen, and Marshall Light also scored for Virden. Burden stopped 19 shots.

Oil Capitals extend winning streak to 11 with trio of victories

By Robin Wark