“We played a real exciting brand of hockey” -head coach Troy Leslie
The most successful season in Virden Oil Capitals’ history came to an end last weekend.
The squad fell four games to two to the Steinbach Pistons in the best-of-seven Manitoba Junior Hockey League finals.
The Oil Capitals only dropped one game in the first two rounds of the post season en route to their first Turnbull Cup finals since the Winnipeg Saints franchise moved to Virden in 2012. The Oil Caps’ playoff run came after they set a team record with 40 wins - going 40-17-2-1 - in the regular season.
“23 Great Young Men”
“Overall, just a great year – on and off the ice,” said Jamie Hodson, director of business and hockey operations. “Our players conducted themselves in the utmost professional manner. This year we had a group of 23 great young men on our hockey team.”
The Steinbach Pistons will now face the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League champion Nipawin Hawks in the ANAVET Cup. The victor of that best-of-seven series advances to the Royal Bank Cup national Junior A championships.
In the MJHL finals, Virden won the first two games of the series. There was almost a week between games one and two as the MJHL paused after the Humboldt bus crash tragedy.
The Pistons won four straight games to claim their second Turnbull Cup. The team won their first in 2013. Against Virden, Steinbach only allowed two goals against in the last three games.
“We were a whisker away,” said Hodson, who commended the Pistons and their entire organization. “We can hold our heads high.”
Depth. Pace. Chemistry.
The Oil Capitals were successful in part due to their depth. The team often rolled four lines and had all six defencemen involved. This allowed Oil Capitals to play with pace. Chemistry also played a role in the team’s success.
“We played a real exciting brand of hockey,” head coach Troy Leslie said. “We had a good group of guys who came together.”
While the wins piled up on the ice, the organization was also successful in other ways, Leslie said. The team’s coach pointed to former player Zach Whitecloud earning a contract and playing with the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights.
He also referenced Justin Lee (University of Denver) and Tyler Kirkup (Bemidji State University) earning NCCA Division I scholarships. The plans of other players will be announced in future.
Throughout the MJHL regular season and their playoff run, the Oil Capitals were strongly supported by the fans. A reported 1,500 packed the Tundra Oil & Gas Place for what was the series’ final game.
Best Fans in League
“I think I can speak for most of the guys on the team that it was the best atmosphere we have all ever played in,” Oil Caps co-captain Morgan Magwood said of the playoffs in Virden. “I really think the fan support we had backs up what I said earlier in the year about us having the best fans in the league because I truly believe we do.”
Hodson said, “We feel honoured to be part of that success,” in reference to the terrific atmosphere the fan base created.
The director of business and hockey operations praised the team’s coaches, staff, board, volunteers, entire organization, and fans.
“Everyone came together this year and worked toward a common goal.”
Russell product Rylee Zimmer led Virden with 15 points in 15 playoff games. Ben Dalke had a team-high eight goals, while Zimmer led the Oil Caps with eight assists. Goaltender Riley McVeigh started all 15 playoff games and posted a 2.89 goals against average with a .913 save percentage.
Eight Oil Caps Leaving
With the season’s end comes the close of the junior careers of the eight Oil Capitals who were playing their 20-year-old seasons: Devon Becker, Landyn Cochrane, Graeme Hore, Jeran Knorr, Kirklan Lycar, Magwood, Kyle Salaway, and Zimmer. Dylan Thiessen (Mercyhurst College) and Kirkup are expected to depart with a year of junior eligibility remaining with NCAA Division I scholarships in hand.
“It is a special group of guys because they stepped up and they took a special pride in the way we played and the way they conducted themselves,” said head coach Troy Leslie, who praised his team’s veteran leadership.
Whether they were in Virden for their entire junior careers or just part of this season, the players all enjoyed their time with the Oil Capitals.
“I loved everything about Virden, but my favourite part would be all the guys I’ve met and the friendships I’ve made,” said Salaway, who played three seasons in Virden.
The Oil Capitals have a number of talented young players who could return for next season. Six 17-year-olds suited up for the team in the playoffs.
“We feel really good about the guys who are returning,” Leslie said. “You can’t say enough about playoff experience for our younger guys.”
Game 5
Pistons 7, Oil Caps 1
Kolten Kanaski had Virden’s lone goal as the team fell in Steinbach. Pistons goalie Matthew Thiessen stopped 21 of the Oil Capitals’ 22 shots. McVeigh had 21 saves on 27 shots before Dalton Dosch came on in relief. He made 14 saves on 15 shots.
Game 6
Pistons 2, Oil Caps 1
All of the game’s scoring came in the first period as both goaltenders were locked in. Dalke lit the lamp on a power play to get things started. Steinbach responded with two goals to take a lead they would never relinquish.
McVeigh made 30 saves for Virden. Thiessen stopped 28 shots for Steinbach.
