The Dauphin Kings got a measure of retribution this past weekend.
Two weeks ago, the Kings suffered losses at the hands of the Selkirk Steelers and Winnipeg Freeze.
This weekend, the team got its revenge, beating the Freeze, 4-3 on Friday night in Winnipeg, before handing the Steelers a 6-4 defeat, Saturday in Selkirk.
The Kings have now won five in a row and have moved into sole possession of first place in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s MGEU West Division.
Kings head coach and general manager Doug Hedley said the Kings got off to a slow start in Friday’s game and trailed 3-1 at one point.
“But then the response and the way we kind of took control of the game. We felt there were a couple of goals that Sheff (goalie Cole Sheffield) would like to take back,” he said.
“We found a way in the third period to get it done. A couple of power-play goals by some guys that have had good seasons so far in (Cayden) Glover and (Gavin) Nemis. It was a good response. All the guys we expect to lead us did a good job.”
Madden Murray led the way on Saturday with two goals and an assist.
Hedley said he has been one of the team’s best players right from day one of training camp.
“There’s times where you’re in the learning process and you’re getting better and you’re making some mistakes. But in general and overall he’s been one of our best players since day one in camp,” he said.
“It just continues on. He’s getting better and better. His speed, his work ethic, his compete level. Now he’s starting to score. He’s been one of our best players game in and game out. And that continued on the weekend.”
The Kings’ special teams were featured in both wins, with the power play connecting three times against Winnipeg and twice against Selkirk, while the penalty kill allowed just one goal in seven chances.
Overall, Dauphin has the third best power play in the league, clicking at 27 per cent, while they are tied with Niverville for tops in penalty killing at 86.2 per cent.
Hedley said the addition of Matthew Thomas has made a big difference on the power play.
“He moves the puck really well. Shoots well. Has good IQ and makes some solid plays,” he said.
“There’s a couple of guys we need to get going and scoring and helping us. Right through our lineup, the depth is there. On the backend, (Naaman) Hofer has been outstanding with his puck movement. And go right down to (Declan) Hoad and (Luke) Myhre and (Ethan) Stewart. The young kids with (Joey) Kubas, they’ve all contributed and they’re all working hard.”
One player who has stepped up his game from last year is forward Rylan Gage, who is one of the team’s assistant captains this year.
“He practiced hard, he got better. He had a great summer in training. Rylan Gage has been one of our best players, too, game in and game out. He had a big power-play goal (Saturday) for us,” Hedley said.
The Kings continue to battle the injury bug. Kubas and Brett Magarrell are in concussion protocol, but Hedley hopes they can start practicing this week.
Sheldon Shyiak and Ethan Williment are both out, as well.
The Kings released goaltender Victor Larin, acquiring Bryson Yaschyshyn from the Winkler Flyers to replace him. Winkler gets a player development fee in exchange.
“He had a real good year in U18 last year. When he became available, we just felt he was somebody we’d like to have in our organization,” Hedley said, adding he has family ties to the area.
“He’s good kid, works hard. A great athlete and somebody that Dan (goaltending coach Keeping) is willing to work with.”
Kings court: The Kings signed five prospects to letters of intent, last week. They include Dauphin product Quenton Fisk, of the Parkland Rangers, Shea Rollason and Sage Dela Cruz, who both play for the Winnipeg Bruins, Brady Bell of the Winnipeg Wild and Brody Wytinck of the Pilot Mound Hockey Academy . . . defenceman Matthew Thomas and forward Gavin Nemis were selected to play for Team MJHL at the 2024 MJHL/SJHL Showcase, Nov. 4 to 6, in Warman, Sask.
