The Virden Oil Capitals earned points in both of their games this past weekend.
The Manitoba Junior Hockey League team fell 4-3 to Swan Valley in a shootout on Saturday. On Sunday, the Oil Caps snapped a four-game losing streak with an 8-7 shootout win over Winkler. With the win, Virden improved its record to 7-7-1-2 and was seventh in the MJHL standings.
“(It was) certainly important for our group to be able to get three of four points this weekend,” Oil Capitals head coach Tyson Ramsey said. “Obviously, not the way we would draw it up as we gave up leads in both games, but certainly we have been more structured as a group over the last three game.”
Ramsey said the squad’s special teams have improved, but he would like to see the Oil Capitals take fewer penalties.
“We need to learn how to stay focused on our structure when we get a lead and be consistent for three periods, but I like some of the steps we took as a group this weekend,” Ramsey said.
STAMPEDERS 4, OIL CAPS 3 SO
In front of 819 at home, the Oil Capitals were rolling early as they held intermission leads of 1-0 and 3-0 over Swan Valley. The Stamps had three third period goals, including one on the powerplay, to tie the game. In the shootout, Swan Valley scored on two of three shots while Virden was unable to score on its two attempts.
Hunter Andrew, Nolan Dawson, and Dylan Halliday had Virden’s goals. Goalie Riley Wallace stopped 39 shots for the Oil Caps.
OIL CAPS 8, FLYERS 7 SO
Tanner Andrew and Hunter Cloutier scored in the shootout, while Wallace allowed only one of five shooters to score to propel Virden to victory. The Oil Caps had led 2-0 in the first period and were up 4-0 in the second. After Winkler tied the game a 4-4, Virden scored three answered goals to go up 7-4 but the Flyers flew back again.
Tanner Andrew had two goals and four points for Virden. Also scoring for the Oil Caps were Logan Rands, Tristan Thompson, Owen Blocker, Josh Belcher, and Kolten Kanaski.
Wallace made 36 saves.
GOALIE NEWS
For both games, Wallace was backed up by Kyle Kozma. The 18-year-old Vaughn, Ont. product was recently signed after starting the season in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Dalton Dosch has requested a change of scenery. The team is seeking a transaction that is beneficial to it and the netminder.
