In a strong start to the season, the Virden Oil Capitals earned points in their first six games.
The Manitoba Junior Hockey League team compiled an impressive 4-0-1-1 record before falling in their seventh game of the new campaign. With 10 points, the Oil Caps sat third in the standings behind the unbeaten Portage Terriers (12), who are the lone team to beat Virden in regulation so far, and Waywayseecappo (11).
After the team’s sixth contest, head coach Tyson Ramsey said, “Certainly, we are happy to have picked up points in all six games so far and we feel like we are getting better every day which, as a coach, is what you like to see. …
“We are searching for a consistency to our game and we feel like if we can play the same way every night, we give ourselves the best chance to win.”
After splitting its games at the MJHL Showcase in Winnipeg earlier this week, Virden hosts Selkirk on Friday and Portage on Sunday.
On Oct. 8, the team is in Selkirk before returning to Tundra Oil & Gas Place on Oct. 10.
STAMPEDERS 5, OIL CAPS 4 OT
The Oil Caps fell for the first time this season, 5-4, in an overtime battle in Swan River on Sept. 24. Virden trailed 3-2 at the second intermission and 4-2 in the third period. Goals by Oil Caps Josh Belcher and Hunter Cloutier, his second marker and fourth point of the night, sent the game into overtime. Swan Valley’s Frazer Dodd scored the game winner. Oak Lake’s Riley Wallace stopped 37 of the 42 shots he faced for Virden.
OIL CAPS 6, NATIVES 4
On Sept. 27, Virden led 3-0 early in the second period and 5-3 at the end of the session. Oil Caps goalie Dalton Dosch had 37 saves as Virden held off Neepawa on the road. Captain Kolten Kanaski had two goals while defenceman Jacob Evans and homegrown forward Tanner Andrew each had three points.
PISTONS 3, OIL CAPS 2 SO
After Virden led 2-1 at the intermissions at home, Steinbach tied the game in the third period on Sept. 28. In the shootout, Kanaski was the only one of Virden’s three shooters to score. Two Pistons were able to get goals to give them the win. Dosch made 32 saves.
OIL CAPS 4, BLIZZARD 2
First period goals by Manson’s Bray Rookes, the first of his MJHL career, and Andrew gave the Oil Caps a lead at that they’d never relinquish on Sept. 30 at the MJHL Showcase in Winnipeg. The team led 2-0 and 3-2 at the intermissions. Virden outshot OCN, 26-18, with Wallace making 16 saves.
TERRIERS 5, OIL CAPS 1
After the first period in Winnipeg, Virden trailed the unbeaten Terriers, 2-1, on Oct. 1. The Oil Caps were unable to tie up the contest and, at the MJHL Showcase, suffered its first regulation loss of the season. Kanaski had Virden’s lone goal.
Oil Caps Notes: Ramsey honoured as Community Leader of the Year
Virden Oil Capitals head coach and general manager Tyson Ramsey has been honoured for his leadership ability.
He recently was named the Community Leader of the Year in the Brandon Sun’s Community Leader Awards. Ramsey, who also teaches at Riverheights School, has coached various sports over the years.
“It certainly means a lot to have received the community leadership award,” he said. “To have been nominated would have been pretty special in itself, but to win the award is very humbling and a very nice feeling. I certainly have worked with many great people involved in sports and at school and many of them could just as easily have won the award. I feel very fortunate.”
After being a scout and assistant coach in the past, he is in his first season as the Oil Caps bench boss. Virden Oil Capitals president Jamie Hodson said the award is:
“Just a great reflection on him. We are really proud of him as an organization.”
Hodson and others in the Oil Caps organization have known Ramsey for years. The team president said that Ramsey is a humble, quality person with a strong moral compass. Hodson also emphasized Ramsey’s focus on the betterment of athletes and people in general.
Showcase
This week’s Manitoba Junior Hockey League Showcase brought all of the league’s 11 teams to Winnipeg to play two games each with scouts from various levels of hockey looking on. Before heading to the Showcase, Oils Caps defenceman Logan Rands said:
“I’m looking forward to getting a chance to play a couple games in front of a bunch of scouts at the Showcase. I’m also looking forward to getting to watch some of the other teams face off against each other.”
Trades
The Oil Capitals have added two players in exchange for future considerations.
Twenty-year-old forward Bradyn Smelski joins the team from his hometown Dauphin Kings. He brings experience. Smelski posted six goals and 14 points in 31 games last season.
Olds, Alta. defenceman Carson Cox was acquired from the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Nipawin Hawks. The 18-year-old had 16 points in 34 midget AAA games last season.
