Four goals in the first period got the Virden Oil Capitals rolling in their lone game last week.
The Oil Capitals went on to beat the Winkler Flyers, 7-4, on Nov. 18 on the road. Kyle Salaway scored his eighth and ninth goals of the season against the Flyers.
“We got off to a good start and chased their goalie out.… Kyle Salaway was good really early,” Oil Capitals head coach Troy Leslie said. “The line of Salaway, (Jeran) Knorr, and (Graeme) Hore has been really solid.”
The squad is 14-6-0-0 on the season. As of Sunday, Virden sat fifth in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
The Oil Capitals start a three-game home stand this weekend.Virden hosts Steinbach for games on Friday and Saturday. Next Thursday, Waywayseecappo visits to close out the Oil Capitals’ November schedule.
On Nov. 16, the team’s game against the OCN Blizzard was postponed due to bad weather. It will be made up later in the season. Earlier this week, the Oil Capitals played in OCN on Tuesday and Wednesday after the Empire-Advance’s deadline.
Against Winkler, Virden led 4-2 and 5-3 at the intermissions. They outscored the Flyers, 2-1, including an empty net goal, in the final period.
As well as Salaway, scoring for Virden were Tanner Andrew, Tyler Kirkup, Dylan Thiessen, Morgan Magwood, and Kirklan Lycar. Dalton Dosch made 34 saves on 38 shots.
“Four lines were rolling,” Leslie said. “Our D was really solid. Dalton, again, had a really good game in net.”
Aaron Brunn started in net for Winkler. He allowed three goals on 11 shots. He was replaced in the first period by Troy Martyniuk, who stopped 19 of the 21 shots he faced.
Lee Picked
Oil Capitals rookie Justin Lee has been invited to the Canada West selection camp for the World Junior A Challenge. The 17-year-old has two goals and 17 points in games, as of Sunday. Leslie emphasized that Lee has been really solid this season, has gotten better every game, and works hard on his game.
“With Justin on the backend, he is not a typical 17-year-old,” said Jamie Hodson, Oil Capitals director of business and hockey operations. “He plays as a veteran guy. He has the leadership qualities of a veteran guy on and off the ice.”
The Waskada product will be among the 60 players competing for a roster spot for the prestigious event. This year’s World Junior A Challenge will be held in Truro, N.S., Dec. 10-16. It will include two Canadian teams as well as squads representing Switzerland, the United States, Russia, and the Czech Republic.
Forster on Board
Karen Forster has joined the Oil Capitals board of directors. The community-minded mother and grandmother has worked for the past 15 years at Andrew Agencies and used to own and operate the Shell Restaurant. Forster and her husband, Jack, currently billet Oil Cap Hunter Cloutier.
“She’s exactly what we look for in terms of bringing on good people within the organization,” Hodson said. “Karen’s extensive business background will be a huge addition to the board that’s focused on growing our fan base in southwestern Manitoba.”
Role Added
In addition to his current duties, Hodson will now also serve as the Oil Capitals director player personnel. Crucial facets of that position will be assessing team prospects and preparing for the 2018 MJHL Draft.
Acting head scout Chad Leslie will remain with the organization until Jan. 1. Leslie is choosing to focus on his education, his non-hockey career, and scouting for the Western Hockey League’s Saskatoon Blades. Leslie has held various positions with the team since the franchise moved from Winnipeg in 2012.
“Chad has been an integral piece of the hockey club since day one, and he’ll be involved in this transition period,” Hodson said in a media release.
