In the ever changing landscape of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s MGEU West Division, the Dauphin Kings find themselves tied for second place after losing two of three games last week.
Dauphin dropped a 2-1 decision to the Virden Oil Capitals, Tuesday in Virden, before Marko Belak made 28 saves in leading the Kings to a 4-0 win over the Winnipeg Freeze, Friday in Dauphin.
On Saturday, a pair of second-period power-play goals lifted the OCN Blizzard to a 2-1 victory over the Kings in Dauphin.
Kings head coach and general manager said the team has been getting good goaltending, but not the effort to match.
“It’s one of those things where we’ve got to be ready to play. If they’re thinking about what they’re going to do when the season is over, then it won’t be long before it’s over,” he said. “When we play on our toes and we play fast, we’re a really good hockey team. We’re probably a first-place hockey team. But when we watch and be spectators and watch what other guys do, it’s frustrating.”
The offence has been hit and miss of late. But Hedley said that is what happens when you don’t attack the blueline with speed or don’t go to the net for second shots or throw the puck at the net.
“The little things. We know what to do and when we do it, we do it well. It’s just frustrating, because I know we’re a lot better than this,” he said.
Hedley pointed out the Kings are 8-5 since the Christmas break and still have their destiny in their own hands.
Things will not get any easier for the Kings as they face the Steinbach Pistons in a home-and-home this weekend, beginning, Friday in Dauphin with the rematch the next night in Steinbach.
Eight of the remaining 12 games are on the road, including six of the final eight games, so now is the time to start playing consistently, Hedley said.
If there is one area the Kings need to improve upon, Hedley said it is puck management and competing for pucks.
“When we stand and watch and spectate, we’re not a very good hockey club. When we’re first to pucks and compete and win stick battles and guys are on their toes, we’re real tough to beat,” he said, adding the team also has to be more disciplined.
The Kings enter the week tied with Virden for second place with 55 points, two behind Waywayseecappo’s 57 points. OCN sits in third place with 53 points and Swan Valley is now on the outside looking in with 52. Neepawa is starting to fall by the wayside, with 45 points.
