The Dauphin Kings used a phenomenal goaltending performance from two Parklanders last night to earn a 3-2 shootout win in their preseason opener.
Zach Grouette and Keaton Ziprick made a combined 56 saves in the game for the home team.
Dauphin opened the scoring when Drayden Kurbatoff found the back of the net 15:18 into the game.
After holding that lead into the intermission, Swan Valley tied it in the second. Owen Harris beat Zach Grouette on the power play just 1:17 into the second.
16 minutes later, Owen Wareham regained the lead for Dauphin on a shot from the point.
With just 4:10 left in the third, Parker Johnson scored a beautiful goal on an end-to-end rush to tie the game.
Despite getting a late power play, Swan Valley couldn’t find the winning goal as Ziprick shut the door.
Overtime also solved nothing, so the game was shootout bound.
Drayden Kurbatoff and Brayden Stevenson scored for Dauphin in the shootout. Only Josh Olson beat Ziprick, which gave Dauphin the two preseason points.
Grouette, who started the game, made 33 saves.
“I thought I played pretty well, the boys played well in front of me,” said Grouette after the game. “I worked really hard this summer because I want to make this team. It’s really important to me.”
Ziprick from Russell came in and made 23 saves. He ended up earning the win.
“I let one weak goal in, but other than that, I think I played solid as I should,” he said. “I’m looking forward to having a solid season.”
Assistant coach Mitch Topinka also shared his thoughts on how Grouette and Ziprick played.
“It’s great to see that the local talent in between the pipes is there for us,” he offered. “It was fun to watch and it was nice that we picked up the win.”
Dauphin heads to Swan Valley today.
