Virden Junior Oil Capitals 15 beat Boissevain/Killarney in two games to claim the South West Recreational Hockey League U15 A championship. That caps a successful campaign in which the Junior Oil Capitals earned the silver medals at the U15 Rural B provincials and also won the Roblin U15 Tournament A Side championship.
“The players were all great to work with,” head coach Matt Beaty said. “When you have a group that buys in like they did, you can see the player and team development happening quickly. It was great to be a part of that.”
Last week the Junior Oil Capitals wrapped up the league championship with a 7-2 win over Boissevain/Killarney. They had won game one against that team, 5-2. Earlier in the league playoffs, Virden dispatched Reston/Melita, 4-1 and 5-4.
“We worked hard as a team to keep everyone involved and develop every player into their role,” Beaty said. “We didn’t rely on a just a few players, we had contributions from all our players. When it came to the end of the season in those big games, we had more team depth and that made the difference.”
The SWRHL featured six teams. Beaty said his squad understood those teams’ playing styles. At the U15 Rural B provincials in Landmark, the Junior Oil Capitals faced new competition.
“At provincials, we had a chance to see new teams with different playing styles,” Beaty said. “I was pleased how the team adjusted, figured out ways to beat these new teams with different playing styles, and make it to the finals.”
In pool play, Virden downed Lakeside, 5-0, and Cross Lake, 13-1. The Junior Oil Capitals advanced to the championship game with a 9-6 win over La Broquerie in the semifinals. In the final contest, Swan Valley won 2-0.
The Virden Jr Oil Capitals roster included Mack Fefchak, Jake Beaty, Rhyse Gabrielle, Jaxson Strothers, Owen Mytopher, Gage Hadley, Reed McGrath, Lincoln Harvey, Easton Slimmon, Keller Cosens, Brayden Rowan, Mitchell Draper, Beckham Clarke, Dane Tack, Reed Plaisier, Blake Goulden, Owen Charles, Tristan Plaisier, and affiliated players Coleton Koop and Recklan Gabrielle. The staff included assistant coaches Darcy Clarke, Todd Plaisier, and Kyran Gerring and manager Megan Gabrielle.
