Skip to content

Cloutier’s hattrick powers Oil Caps past league-leading Pistons

A three-goal second period helped the Virden Oil Capitals down the league-leading Steinbach Pistons, 4-1, last week. In front of 693 fans at the Tundra Oil & Gas Place, the two teams were tied at 1-1 after the first period on Dec. 14.

A three-goal second period helped the Virden Oil Capitals down the league-leading Steinbach Pistons, 4-1, last week.

In front of 693 fans at the Tundra Oil & Gas Place, the two teams were tied at 1-1 after the first period on Dec. 14. Early in the second period, Josh Belcher scored to put the hosts up 2-1. Hunter Cloutier lit the lamp twice – both on the powerplay – to give the Oil Caps a 4-1 lead heading into the third.

“I think we just moved the puck around really well and that led to some seams opening and we took advantage once that happened,” said Cloutier, who recorded a hattrick in the contest.

Neither team scored in the third period. Virden persevered for the victory. The Oil Caps were three-for-four on the powerplay and stopped all of Steinbach’s five opportunities with the man advantage.

The win improved Virden’s record to 16-14-2-2. The team sat seventh in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, as of Sunday. Ethan Peterson had 30 saves on the 31 shots he faced for Virden. He was relieved by Kyle Kozman, who stopped all seven shots he saw.

“I thought we were quite efficient out of our end of the rink and did a nice job being fast through the neutral zone,” head coach Tyson Ramsey said. “By being quick in both zones, it allowed our offence to maintain or regain puck possession and we were able to generate some quality chances. I also liked our specialty teams. I thought we were sharp on both our power play and penalty kill.”

The Oil Caps lost a back-and-forth game to Waywayseecappo at home on Dec. 12. Virden had held such leads as 1-0 in the first period, 2-0 in the second, and 4-2 before the second intermission. Waywayseecappo outscored Virden 4-1 in the final frame to take a 6-5 win.

“We lacked the execution we needed against Wayway to break the puck out and as a result spent too much time defending,” Ramsey said. “That wears your group down and we weren’t able to sustain the pace we started the game with.”

Tanner Andrew scored twice for Virden. Jack Einarson, Brett Paddock, and Hunter Andrew had the team’s other goals. Einarson’s goals sent the stuffies to the ice as it was the first home goal on Teddy Bear Toss night with 817 in attendance. More than 230 bears were collected for Christmas Cheer.

Notes

The Oil Caps wrap up their 2019 by playing in Neepawa on Saturday. … Tanner Andrew was named the Cochrane Stock Farms Oil Capitals Player of the Month for November. He had four goal and nine assists in 11 November games. … Jackson Orr has been announced as the team’s representative for the RBC – MJHL Community Ambassador Team. The honour recognizes players for giving back to the community. … Oak Lake product and ex-Oil Caps goalie Riley Wallace is playing Junior B for the Invermere, B.C.-based Columbia Valley Rockies. … Former Oil Caps athletic therapist Hailee Dayman served in that role for Team Canada West at the World Junior A Hockey Challenge in Dawson Creek. Dayman is now the athletic therapist for the Lloydminster Bobcats.

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks