The Dauphin Kings and Virden Oil Capitals combined for 8 goals through the first twenty minutes of play in Dauphin's 5-4 win Saturday in Virden.
Special teams were key for the Kings in the first, scoring 3 of their five goals with the man, sometimes two-man, advantage. The Kings finished 3 for 5 on the PP, while Virden was 2 for 4.
The Kings raced out of the gate, scoring 4 goals before the first was even halfway done, chasing Oil Caps tender Riley McVeigh from the net in the process, who allowed 4 goals on 6 shots.
Despite scoring 5 goals on 10 shots in the first, and adding another 21 in the second, the Kings could not find the net again on the night. In the third period they were really on their heels, throwing only 3 shots on net while Virden sent 14 the King's way and added a goal. Despite being outplayed in the third the Kings hung on for the Victory.
The Kings snapped a four game losing skid, dating back to February 1st, to earn their first win of the month. They're back to within 4 points of the Swan Valley Stampeders, and four ahead of Neepawa once again. Both Swan and Neepawa were idle tonight.
The Kings are back on home ice Sunday to host the Selkirk Steelers at 6:00pm at CUP.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st PERIOD
DAUPHIN KINGS at 2:33 (PP) - Howard Yawit from Ashton Clark and Riley Shamray
DAUPHIN KINGS at 3:13 - Graeme Hore from Matthew Bartel
DAUPHIN KINGS at 6:28 (PP) - Matty Greening from Ashton Clark and Ian Briscoe
DAUPHIN KINGS at 7:40 (PP) - Ashton Clark from Ian Briscoe and Trevor Selk
VIRDEN OIL CAPITALS at 10:31 (PP) - Mac Hardy from Kirklan Lycar and Dylan Thiessen
VIRDEN OIL CAPITALS at 12:22 - Kyle Salaway from Sam Schultz and Carter Cowlthorp
DAUPHIN KINGS at 15:39 - Brendan Arnold from Brett Piper and Trevor Selk
VIRDEN OIL CAPITALS at 18:51 (PP) - Ben Dalke from Mack Hardy
2nd PERIOD
NO SCORING
3rd PERIOD
VIRDEN OIL CAPITALS at 7:11 - Carter Cowlthorp from Jordan Thomson and Tyler Kirkup