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Oil Capitals rebound with win over Selkirk

Oil Caps Report
dalke
Ben Dalke lead the charge potting two goals as the Caps went on to clobber their nemesis the Steinbach Pistons 3-0 Wednesday.

The Virden Oil Capitals split their games last week against two of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s top four teams.

After falling 7-2 to league-leading Portage on Friday, the Oil Caps rebounded on Saturday to beat fourth-place Selkirk. Entering this week with a 22-15-3-4 record, Virden sat in fifth place in the standings – although they were tied with 51 points with Selkirk.

“It was a tale of two teams in two days,” Virden head coach Leslie said of the weekend games.

On Oil and Energy Appreciation Night at Tundra Oil & Gas Place, Portage outscored Virden 4-1 in the second period to take a 6-2 lead en route to the win. Captain Ben Dalke lit the lamp for both of the Oil Capitals’ goals. Dalton Dosch had 36 saves on 43 shots.

“I didn’t think we were that good and they were very good. … It was a good night for us to have, I think, to help us refocus. To the guys’ credit, they did that,” Leslie said.

The next night, the Oil Caps sent the hometown fans home happy with a 4-1 win over Selkirk. Virden led 1-0 and 2-0 at the intermissions. Kolten Kanaski, who as of Sunday led the Oil Capitals with 44 points, scored twice. Tristan Thompson and Blake Sidoni had the team’s other goals. Oil Caps goalie Riley Wallace, who hails from Oak Lake, allowed only one goal on 26 shots.

“I thought we were good right off the hop. I thought we were consistent for the full 60,” said Leslie, who said the Oil Caps moved the puck well and excelled on special teams as they killed off seven power plays and scored twice with the man advantage.

Dalke, who had an assist on Saturday night, was named a runner-up for the MJHL Recycle Everywhere Player of the Week.

This Week

The Virden squad traveled to Steinbach on Wednesday and chalked up a 3-0 shutout, two of those goals scored by Capt. Ben Dalke. 

This weekend it plays a home-and-home series with the Neepawa Natives. The Oil Caps are at the Yellowhead Centre on Friday before hosting on Saturday night.

Showcase

The Oil Capitals had nine players competing in the joint Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League/MJHL Showcase in Regina on Jan. 14-15. With scouts from various levels of hockey looking on, including NCAA and the NHL, many of the top players from each league competed against each other.

“I enjoy playing in these kinds of events because it’s cool to team up with the best players from other teams in the MJ and challenge yourself to elevate your game against more elite players from the SJ that you’re not used to playing against,” said Tristen Cross, an Oil Caps blue liner and Virden product.

The SJHL won four of the six games at the showcase. Kanaski helped Team Belfour, which split its games, to a 4-0 victory at the event with a goal and an assist. Cross recorded an assist in that contest. Dalke had a goal in the team’s other game. Sidoni, a forward, and defenceman Jayden Wojciechowski also played for Team Belfour.

Four Oil Caps played on Team Garbutt, which secured a 4-3 shootout win. Forwards Josh Belcher and Jack Einarson each recorded an assist during the showcase. Fellow forwards Hunter Cloutier and Tanner Andrew of Virden were also on the team. Leslie was its head coach and Oil Caps athletic therapist and equipment manager Hailee Dayman was on the staff. There were no Oil Capitals on Team Zajac.

 

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