Blake Sidoni has made his presence felt since being traded to the Virden Oil Capitals in late October.
With the 20-year-old forward from Trail, B.C. in the lineup, the Manitoba Junior Hockey League squad has gone 10-3. As of Sunday, the Oil Capitals were 12-11-1-4 on the season.
“It is no coincidence we have played pretty well since he joined us,” Virden head coach Troy Leslie said.
The 6-foot, 185-pound Sidoni had six goals and 17 points in 13 games with the team. It is more than his scoring touch that has helped a youthful Oil Caps roster.
“He brings some grit and some experience,” Leslie said. “He works hard. He finishes checks. It is something we needed. Not only on the ice, but for guys to see someone do that.”
Sidoni, who billets with Shawn and Tricia Studer, has had fun during his time in Virden.
“I’ve enjoyed how nice people are in the community and obviously playing with a great group of guys.”
As a 15-year-old, Sidoni started being an affiliate player for the Junior B Beaver Valley NiteHawks of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League. In 2017, Sidoni helped the Fruitvale team win a KIJHL championship. When asked what he enjoyed most about the team’s championship run, he said:
“Just how our team had such a close-knit bond, which made playing every night really fun, and also winning the championship was pretty special.”
He split last season between them and his hometown Trail Smoke Eaters, where he started the 2018-2019 campaign. After his final junior season, Sidoni wants to go to university to study business.
Brakebill Named Ambassador
Oil Caps rookie forward Parker Brakebill has been named an RBC-MJHL Community Ambassador. A player is selected from each team in the league for the honour based on citizenship, volunteering, and sportsmanship on and off the ice. RBC will make a donation to each ambassador’s local community. Brakebill is a 19-year-old originally from southern California.
Oil Caps 3, Kings 2 SO
In their lone game last week, the Oil Capitals prevailed 3-2 in a shootout in Dauphin on Friday. Dauphin scored in the first period with Oil Cap Jack Einarson tying things up in the second. However, the Kings replied in the same session to take a 2-1 lead. Dylan Halliday’s power-play marker in the third sent the game to overtime.
After an extra period did not decide the game, twenty-six shooters – 13 from each team – took their shots. Ben Dalke, Einarson, and Virden’s own Tanner Andrews were able to score – but the Kings always found an answering goal.
Oil Cap Josh Belcher delivered the final shootout goal and Dauphin could not get one past Dalton Dosch to answer. Dosh had 34 saves in regulation and the overtime.
After about a week’s layoff, Leslie said his squad came out a bit rusty. He was pleased the team was able to pull out the win.
“Dalton was real good for us that night and kept us in the game,” Leslie said.
This Week
Virden hosted Selkirk on Tuesday and was to play in Portage on Wednesday. The Oil Caps are in Neepawa on Friday. The next home game is Dec. 14 for the Virden Truck & Trailer Teddy Bear Toss and a Valleyview Co-op Tin for the Bin night.
Showcase
The Oil Capitals will play Winkler and Steinbach on Dec. 11 and 12, respectively, at the MJHL Showcase in Winnipeg. The event at the Seven Oaks Sportsplex brings all of the league’s teams to one location to play in front of scouts from a variety of levels of hockey, including major junior, NCAA, and professional. The games still count in the MJHL standings.
“Showcases are always good,” Leslie said. “Going into the Showcase, the stronger a team plays the better it looks for individuals.”
Roster Moves
Two Oil Capitals departed last week at the Dec. 1 deadline for Junior A teams to cut down to 25 players. The team wishes both players all of the best as its Twitter feed stated.
Nineteen-year-old forward Drew Coughlin is headed to the Terrebonne Cobras in Quebec. The Victoria, B.C. product appeared in 14 games with Virden but did not record a point.
Mason Fischer, a 20-year-old forward, is exploring options in and out of hockey. He had three assists in 24 games this season.
