Another busy week in the Westman High School Hockey League saw the Dauphin Clippers earn seven of a possible eight points, solidifying their hold on second place.
The week began with a 9-3 win over the Roblin/Grandview/Gilbert Plains Raiders, Tuesday in Dauphin, with Ronin Mouck leading the way with three goals and an assist.
On Wednesday in Russell, Mouck had two goals and two assists to lead the Clippers to a 5-2 win over the Major Pratt Trojans.
The only blemish came, Saturday in Dauphin as the Swan Valley Tigers scored a 4-3 shootout victory over the Clippers, with Mouck adding another pair of goals.
In the team’s final home game of the regular season, the Clippers beat the Reston/Melita/Hartney/Souris Renegades, 3-0, with Ethan Myhre stopping all 24 shots he faced to record the shutout.
Clippers coach Josh Yaschyshyn was pleased the team’s play, noting they are banged up right now.
“We’re getting contributions up and down the lineup. Guys are battling through injuries, sicknesses. A couple of APs have taken time out of their busy schedule to come help us out, as well,” he said.
“We won three games and lost in a shootout against a good Swan team. So I’m real pleased with the effort this week.”
The Clippers end the regular season with a pair of game son the road.
Thursday, the Clippers make their way north to face Swan Valley in a rematch, which could determine which team finishes in second place.
Dauphin currently holds down that spot with a 24-4-0-2 record for 50 points, five ahead of the Tigers, who have four games in hand.
Dauphin ends the regular season, Feb. 25, in Sandy Bay against the Badgers.
Yaschyshyn hopes the team can keep the momentum going as they prepare for the postseason.
“You’re always building towards the playoffs. Two games left, one against Swan, one against Sandy Bay. Hopefully, we can put out best foot forward going into the playoffs,” he said.
A chance in the playoff format will see the top eight teams select who they want to face in the first round of the playoffs.
At this point, Yaschyshyn said they have talked a bit about what they want to do, taking into consideration factors such as travel distance and how they match up with their possible opponents.
“We won’t decide on that until everything is all finished and everything is finalized,” he said.
Varsity boys win
consolation
The Clippers varsity boys basketball team won the consolation at a tournament in Neepawa, this past weekend.
After losing, 79-65 to the Souris Sabres, Dauphin beat Gilbert Plains/Grandview Co-op team, 111-44 in the consolation semifinals.
Dauphin then defeated the Boissevain Broncos, 104-24 to win the consolation.
Dauphin will host a JV girls provincial qualifying tournament, Feb. 28 and Mar. 1, and a varsity boys provincial qualifier, Mar. 7 and 8.
Dauphin will then host the AAA JV girls provincials, Mar. 13 to 15.
