After dropping the season opener to the Swan Valley Stampeders, Friday in Swan River, the Dauphin Kings had a nice bounce back effort in Saturday’s home opener.

The Kings had a 3-0 lead late in the second period of Friday’s game only to give up six straight goals, including five in the third period, settling for a 6-3 defeat.

On Saturday, in front of a crowd of 1,083 spectators, Bryson Yaschyshyn, who took the loss on Friday, had a good rebound game, stopping all 33 shots he faced in leading the Kings to a 7-0 shutout victory.

Kings head coach and general manager Doug Hedley said the Kings had chances to score, but didn’t bear down when they needed to.

“We had pressure all the time. We had so many chances, walked in and just not bearing down,” he said, crediting Stampeders goalie Easton Falls with making key saves.

“In Swan, the puck bounces everywhere, around the net steady. We lost a couple of assignments on the rush, they took advantage of it and we were trailing,” Hedley said.

“It’s a learning process. There’s some new guys in the lineup. We didn’t lock it down like we’re used to doing and it just comes from experience and getting better at it.”

It was a better effort on Saturday. Hedley said the Kings were using their speed and all four lines were working hard.

“I thought the young kids played really well. The 17-year-olds, (Quentin) Fisk and (Brody) Wytinck and (Brady) Bell. And then you put (Kale) Pratte and (Luke) Myhre in there, I think they were really good,” he said, adding when teams get a big lead, they can play their younger players more.

“Because they weren’t hurting us. They were playing very well, playing defensively and they were responsible coming back. And they contributed offensively.”

Myhre played one of his best games that Hedley has seen, finishing with two assists before he was ejected for a third period fight.

“He’s a talented kid. It’s just that consistency and the work ethic that’s got to be there. And tonight, that line was very good for us, Kale Pratte, Quentin Fisk was very good,” Hedley said.

Through the first two games, the Kings have goals from eight different players, with 14 skaters hitting the scoresheet.

Hedley was pleased with the balanced scoring, noting the Kings will have to score by committee. Getting Havryil Simchuk back from the British Columbia Hockey League’s Brooks Bandits will help.

The Kings currently have 29 players still in camp. At some point Hedley expects to let go two forwards and two defencemen.

Defencemen Brett Magarrell and Talon Hogg are currently on the  injured list.

Magarrell had shoulder surgery in June and is expected to be cleared by doctors at the end of the month.

Hedley said the decisions will be tough, because he feels every player still in camp can play at the junior level.

“So it’s going to come down to character and work ethic. It’s going to be tough,” he said.

Prior to the start of the season, the Kings acquired goaltender Justin Perreault from the Winkler Flyers for a player development fee.

Last season, playing with the Winnipeg Wild, Perreault was named the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League’s Most Valuable Player and Top Goaltender and was selected to the first all-star team after posting a 25-4-0-1 record with a 1.65 goals-against average and .934 save percentage, to go along with eight shutouts.

Piet Mierau, who had the inside track to be the backup this season, will instead play for Columbia Valley in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League on loan from the Kings.

Hedley said Perreault is a player he really couldn’t pass up on, adding goalie coach Dan Keeping will work with him and Yaschyshyn, who had a good game Saturday, following Friday’s loss.

“I think he’s got to keep control of some of his rebounds, but he had a good game and made some good saves at the right times. The games he played last year for us, he looked like he could be a starter for us. When he’s quiet and when pucks stick to him, he’s a good goaltender. So it was a great bounce back tonight,” he said.

The Kings have another home-and-home this weekend, facing the Titans in Neepawa, Friday at 7:30 p.m., before hosting the Titans, Saturday at 7 p.m.