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Oil Caps show offensive prowess in preseason

During the Manitoba Junior Hockey League preseason, Virden Oil Capitals fans got to see a bit of what their squad will look like before Friday’s regular season opener.
Camp
Virden Oil Capitals play in the preseason training camp.

Last week the Oil Caps fell in overtime to Portage, 4-3, on the road; beat Winkler, 7-4, at home; and got by the latter team, 5-4, in a shootout on the road. The Virden squad wrapped up its preseason with a 4-2 victory Tuesday over Portage.

All of this is in preparation for Friday night’s tilt against Waywayseecappo to open the season.

“I am excited about our returning group of players here as well as the youthfulness and energy we will have with some of our newcomers,” Virden head coach Tyson Ramsey said.

Terriers 4, Oil Caps 3 OT

In a game contested by many young players, Tyler Dodgson scored the game winner for the hosts. Virden led 2-0 after the first period thanks to goals by David Bielk and Aidan Wuerfel. The Oil Caps increased their lead to 3-0 late in the second period as Ryland Kuczek scored, but Austin McLean got the Terriers on the board to make it a 3-1 game just before the intermission. Brandon Funk and Bennett Anklewich had third period markers as Portage tied things up before Dodgson’s OT goal.

Owen LaRoque started in net for Virden. He stopped all 15 shots he faced. Cody Creasy had 15 saves on 19 shots for the Oil Caps. Jayden Catellier (11 saves on 13 shots) and Owen Savoie (winning goalie after allowing one goal on 12 shots) shared the Terriers’ net.

Oil Caps 7, Flyers 4

In front of the Tundra Oil & Gas Place fans, the Oil Caps came out strong. Colten Miller scored less than a minute into the contest. Winkler’s Justin Svenson tied things up fewer than five minutes later. However, the hosts then lit the lamp three times before the first intermission to take a 4-1 lead. Scoring along with Miller in that first frame were Dylan Halliday, captain Logan Rands, and Manson’s Bray Rookes.

In the second period, both teams scored twice to create a 6-3 score. Layton Veitch and Miller had the host’s markers while Trent Penner and Jackson Arpin scored for Winkler. Flyer Justin Svenson and Halliday had goals in the third. Halliday had five points while Miller recorded three.

Virden’s own Eric Reid earned the win as he made 22 saves on 25 shots. Ryley Gross stopped 21 of the 22 shots he faced in the Virden net. In the other net, Brock Moroz was nine-for-13 while Jozse Gauthier Urmos was 14-for-17.

Oil Caps 5, Flyers 4 SO

Tyler Thoendel had the lone goal in the shootout as Virden prevailed. Winkler led 3-2 after the first period and 4-2 early in the second. Virden made it 4-3 before the second intermission and tied things up in the third on a Halliday marker. It was his second goal of the night. Braeden Fischer had Virden’s other two goals and three points. Trent Penner (two), Trent Sambrook, and Cole Mackenzie scored for Winkler.

Reid, who came on in the second period, earned the win. He stopped all 15 shots he faced and did not allow a goal on the Flyers’ three shootout opportunities. Cody Creasy had 29 saves on 33 shots for Virden. Moroz turned away 19 of the 23 shots he faced.

Oil Caps 4, Terriers 2

Consistent scoring helped the Oil Caps beat the Terriers in their final preseason contest. Virden took a 2-1 lead in the first frame and added a goal in each of the following periods.

Carson Buydens lit the lamp twice for Virden. Fischer and Jack Oleksiuk also scored for the Oil Caps. Gross made seven saves on nine shots. Making his debut for Virden, Dawson Rattai turned away all 11 shots he faced.

For Portage, Kayden Sutherland Jaden Pashe scored. Terriers netminder Chris Fines made 40 saves.

 

 

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