The Dauphin Kings clinched first place in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s West Division, last week, after sweeping three straight games over the Neepawa Titans.
The Kings scored a 3-2 overtime win over Neepawa, last Tuesday in Dauphin on a goal by Logan Calder, 1:52 into the extra frame.
Dauphin then beat Neepawa, 5-3, Friday in Neepawa and 5-2, Saturday in Dauphin.
The Kings, 37-11-1-0, have now won eight in a row and 12 of their last 13 games.
Kings head coach and general manager Doug Hedley said the Kings were not at their best Saturday night, but they found a way to get the job done, adding they may have played down to Neepawa’s level, to a certain extent.
“They’ve actually got some good team speed. They work hard. They just can’t finish. They’re not experienced enough,” he said. “But (Friday) night, they played real well. Goaltending was outstanding, all three times we played them. (Emerik) Demers was really good.”
With five games remaining the Kings have a chance to reach their goal of 40 wins for the season.
Hedley has been most impressed with the team’s resilience during the winning streak. There were games where the found themselves trailing only to comeback to record the victory.
“The guys are confident. There are things we need to pick up a little. The attention to detail wanders a little bit at times,” he said. “But for the most part, we had an outstanding series against Wayway. We were definitely ready to play and the guys were focused. We got some real good goaltending and got some big goals from some key guys for us. They really stepped up at the right time and this is just carry over.”
This week, the Kings have three games, beginning with a makeup game in Virden tonight against the Oil Capitals.
The Kings will then host the Swan Valley Stampeders Friday and Saturday, with both games getting under way at 7:30 p.m.
With a playoff spot and first place in the division locked up, there is still something to motivate the Kings as they head towards the finish line.
Dauphin still has a chance to finish first overall, but that will be a tough task. Steinbach, which has won 11 games in a row, has a four-point cushion over the Kings who have a game in hand.
“They have to lose two for us to get there. One of our goals was 40, so that’s something to shoot for. If things work out that we can run the table in the last five games, then we might get a shot at the overall lead. But obviously, Steinbach has to lose,” he said, noting if the Kings and Pistons end up tied in points, Steinbach would have the advantage in the tie-breaker.
Saturday’s game against Swan Valley is the Kings' annual Ukrainian Night. Tickets are only $5 each and will be available at the south ticket booth at Credit Union Place all week from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and starting at 5 p.m. on game night.
