Ben Dalke is thrilled to be wearing a Virden Oil Capitals uniform once again.
A hip injury kept the 19-year-old from LaSalle out of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League team’s lineup for more than a month. After an Oct. 13 contest, the veteran forward did not play again until Nov. 30.
“I feel very relieved to be back on the ice after being out so long,” Dalke said. “It was a bit of a frustrating period not really having a set a timeline because of the nature of my injury and then pushing back the expected date of return multiple times.”
The 5-foot-9, 170-pounder had an immediate impact upon his return. He recorded seven points in his first four games back.
“It has been good,” Virden head coach Troy Leslie said of Dalke’s return. “He is dynamic. Usually when he is on, the team is on.”
Last week the Oil Capitals won two and lost once in regulation and once in overtime. The squad played its first two games of the week at the Bell MTS Iceplex as part of the annual MJHL Player Showcase. The event brings all of the league’s teams to one place where the players can be watched by scouts from major junior, post-secondary, and pro teams. About 65 scouts attended the event, including at least 27 from the NCAA, 11 from the WHL, and five from the NHL.
“The Old Dutch Player Showcase is the single most important event in the season for the players and teams in our league,” MJHL Commissioner Kim Davis said. “The event highlights the exceptional talented players in the league and provides them an opportunity to demonstrate their hockey talent to scouts from all higher levels of hockey. Some players will advance to higher levels because of the opportunity the Player Showcase provides to them.”
The Oil Capitals, 21-10-2-0 as of Sunday and No. 2 In the league power rankings, wrap up the 2017 portion of their season tonight. They host the Winnipeg Blues at the Tundra Oil & Gas Place. Former Oil Caps defenceman Wyatt Kalynuk will be honoured before the game. Kalynuk currently plays NCAA Division I hockey for the University of Wisconsin and was drafted by the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers last spring. It is one of two big games for the Oil Caps this week.
“It is an opportunity for us to move up in the standings,” said Leslie, who noted his team has not beaten the Blues yet this season.
Last night the Steinbach Pistons visited after the newspaper’s deadline on Ag Appreciation Night. Talented Virden teenager Brooks Freeman designed the agriculture-themed jerseys that were worn last night and auctioned off with a portion of the proceeds going to local 4-H clubs.
After missing several weeks of action, Dalke has returned in fine form for the Oil Capitals. As of Sunday, he had 11 goals and 21 points in 18 games this season.
“Previous chemistry with my linemates has allowed me to put up points the past few games,” Dalke said. “I've played with Dylan (Thiessen) and Tyler (Kirkup) so long and am so familiar with them that we picked up right where we left off.”
Dalke’s high skillset to Oil Caps.
“He has got a good release on his shot. … He is a fast player. He can get into areas where he can shoot the puck,” Leslie said.
The head coach also praised Dalke for his leadership. Leslie said the assistant captain is a quiet leader who knows the league.
“He is a level-headed guy. He is a great teammate.”
Dalke has loved the three winters he has spent playing for the Oil Capitals.
“My favourite part about playing in Virden is the atmosphere at the games the fans provide and how much of a high class organization I am a part of… really giving all the guys here a Junior A experience better than any other in the league. Going into other teams’ buildings is really evidence of that, because I haven't played anywhere in Manitoba that provides the atmosphere seen in the TOGP every night.”
Oil Caps 5, Natives 1
After the first period in Winnipeg on Dec. 13, the Oil Capitals trailed Neepawa 1-0. That quickly changed. Oil Caps goalie Dalton Dosch and the Virden defence shut the door while the offence got rolling. The Oil Capitals led 2-1 after the second period and scored three times in the third. Virden outshot Neepawa 49-17 and converted on three of its four power-play opportunities. Leslie said he was pleased with the way his team stuck with it and was rewarded late in the game.
Thiessen, Kyle Salaway, Graeme Hore, Dalke, and Landyn Cochrane all scored for Virden. Dosch made 16 saves. Kirklan Lycar and Rylee Zimmer each had two assists.
On Dec. 11 at the MJHL Showcase, Virden fell 7-2 to Selkirk. This game was reported in a previous edition of the Empire-Advance. Goalie Riley McVeigh was injured in the contest.
Oil Caps 8, Wolverines 4
At home on Dec. 15, the Oil Capitals withstood a third period rally by Waywayseecappo to post an 8-4 victory. The Oil Caps had led 2-1 and 4-1 at the intermissions. In the final period, the Wolverines pulled to within a goal, 4-3. Virden outscored the visitors, 4-1, the rest of the way.
“We were able to reset… and create some offence,” said Leslie, who said his team was pretty solid that night.
The Oil Caps’ offensive balance was on display. Eight different players scored for Virden: Justin Lee, Thiessen, Kirkup, Hore, Jeran Knorr, Rylee Zimmer, Hunter Cloutier, and Kolten Kanaski. Tristen Cross and Lycar each had three assists. Dosch had 25 saves.
Zimmer was the Teddy Bear Toss hero as he scored the game’s first goal and caused about 230 stuffed animals to be thrown onto the ice. They were all donated to Virden’s Christmas Cheer along with the food received during the Oil Caps’ Tin for the Bin campaign.
Pistons 4, Oil Caps 3 OT
After the host Pistons led 1-0 and 3-1 at the intermissions, Salaway led the Oil Caps comeback on Dec. 16. He scored twice in the third period to tie the game at 3-3 and secure the squad at least one point in the standings. Darby Gula got the game winner for the Pistons.
Kirkup had Virden’s first goal Dosch recorded 27 saves on 31 shots. Virden had 35 shots on net.
