Doug Zywina
Rangers victimized by bad call
The Parkland Rangers earned three of a possible four points in a pair of games against the Kenora Thistles in Kenora, Ont., over the weekend.
But they were robbed of possibly sweeping the weekend games, thanks to an error in judgement by the referee in Saturday’s 4-3 shootout loss.
After Carter Peters scored on Kenora’s second shot in the shootout, Parkland’s Quentin Fisk had a chance to tie the game on the Rangers’ third shot.
Fisk hit the goal post, but the puck deflected in off the goalie’s skate. The referee waved the goal off, saying the puck was dead.
But according to rule 4.11 (b), with regard to rebounds, referees should apply the following guidelines - the puck hits the goal post, then hits the goaltender and goes into the goal, the goal is allowed.
Rangers head coach Tyler Carefoot said he was pleased with the team’s play for the most part.
“I liked our first period of the first game. We took our foot off the pedal in the second period of the first game. Kenora was very resilient and they had a lot of energy on Saturday night. There was a lot of fans in the stands that were supporting them. So they kept the game close and we were just never able to really pull away,” he said.
The Rangers made a big push in the third period, but could not get the go-ahead goal.
Regarding the shootout, Carefoot said the rule book clearly said the goal should have counted.
“Nonetheless, there was some drama there. But regardless, the message after that game was we had to push forward, we have to persevere and if we bring that mindset of the third period where we played really desperate,” he said. “Not only against Kenora, but if we brought that mindset of playing desperate, we’d be a tough out against any other team.”
The Rangers brought that desperate mindset to Sunday’s game, beating the Thistles, 7-1.
Parkland is on the road tonight to face the Yellowhead Chiefs in Shoal Lake at 7:30 p.m.
On the weekend the Winnipeg Thrashers are in Dauphin for a pair of games, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Carefoot said he was pleased with the team playing desperate, with some urgency and being hard to play against in the two games in Kenora.
“We had that for five of six periods. And hopefully, we can move forward with that and, hopefully, the fellas recognize that that’s the way it has to be done. If we do that, I think we’ll be a tough out going forward,” he said.
Kings’ offence late to the party
The Dauphin Kings played just one game last week, dropping a 5-3 decision to the Portage Terriers, at Credit Union Place, Friday.
Matthew Biros staked the visitors to a 1-0 lead after the first period and former King Slade Stanick increased it to 2-0 after 40 minutes.
Evan Lachimea, Parker Korman and Alyandro De Leon padded the lead to 5-0 by the 10:52 mark, before the Kings offence came alive to score three times in the final 10 minutes on goals from Logan Walker, Alex Senf and Aidan Brook.
Jayden Catellier earned the win with 36 saves. Cole Sheffield took the loss after stopping 28 shots.
The Kings have a busier week ahead of them this week, starting tonight when they are on the road to play the Waywayseecappo Wolverines at 7:30 p.m.
On Friday, Dauphin travels south to play the Steinbach Pistons in La Broquerie at 7:30 p.m., and they play the Niverville Nighthawks, Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Boguski set to enter Hall of Fame
The Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame announced its 2024 inductees, last week, and the list includes a player who got his start with the Dauphin Redbirds.
Ryan Boguski, who grew up in Sifton and played his minor ball in Dauphin, is one of nine individuals, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, along with four teams and one family, June 15, 2024, in Morden.
Boguski found out about his selection about a month ago, but he was asked to keep it quiet until the press release went out, last week.
Boguski said it wasn’t that hard to keep the news to himself.
“I’m one that doesn’t hold a secret very well. But it was pretty easy. I told my wife and my Dad. It’s like it wasn’t real. He told me I couldn’t tell anyone and no one else knew, so it was kind of easy for me,” he said, adding his three children provided distractions, which helped. “But once the media thing hit, then it started sinking in and people were calling and texting. Teammates that I played with 30 years ago were texting. That’s when it really sunk in.”
Boguski was an excellent youth player. From 1992 to 1994, he was chosen for the Manitoba youth team and in 1994, he made Team Canada.
Boguski was the Manitoba Youth Athlete of the Year in 1992 and Parkland Athlete of the Year in 1994.
After graduation, Boguski attended Minot State University for two years and graduated with an Education degree.
He then played 23 years in the Manitoba Senior Baseball League with Brandon Marlins and occasionally as a pickup for the Reston Rockets.
A left-handed pitcher, outfielder, first baseman, good base runner, and a good hitter who seldom struck out, Boguski was Senior AA Player of the Year in 1996, but his best season was probably 2007 when he pitched regularly for the Marlins and hit .377 with 21 runs-batted-in in 69 at bats.
Boguski attended six national senior championships and was an MSBL all-star nine times. He currently coaches in the Brandon minor baseball system and with Crocus Plains High School.
Being named to the Hall of Fame left Boguski almost speechless.
“I’ve been thinking about (what it means to me). I’ve never played the game with goals of making it to the Hall of Fame. And since (the announcement) and people start calling and texting and messaging on social media, it really sinks in and makes you look back,” he said. “And it was like, holy cow, I accomplished a lot. I played on a lot of teams. Not too many people get the chance. So it’s starting to sink in, like it’s a big deal now.”
Boguski got his start in senior baseball with the Dauphin Redbirds, when they called him up as a 15-year-old pitcher.
“They were short of arms so they asked me to pitch a game for them when I was 15. I remember facing the Brandon Cloverleafs. Being young, I pitched, I think, four or five innings and then they brought in someone else,” he said.
Making Team Canada in 1994 was one of the biggest highlights of his career, as well as all the years he made the provincial youth teams.
“They were pretty big steps. One year I won Western Canadians with a team from Winnipeg. These are big ones that are standing out. But I also remember winning a provincial title with a local Dauphin team,” he said. “I find them all kind of important.”
While admitting he is not much of a public speaker, Boguski is looking forward to the induction ceremony.
“It will be fun. It will be nice to see a lot of people again and have family there. I think it will be neat. It will be nice to get it over with and move on. I’m not a big spotlight person, so I don’t like having attention. So it will be nice to go up there, do my speech and get my picture and move on with my life,” he said.
“It’s an honour, for sure. I have to give credit to all my teammates and all the people I’ve played with through the years. And the coaches, for sure.”
Kings get away from doing the little things
The Dauphin Kings saw their six-game winning streak snapped on home ice, Sunday, when they fell 3-1 to the Winkler Flyers.
Prior to that, the Kings won their sixth straight contest, 5-2 over the Neepawa Titans, Saturday in Neepawa.
Kings head coach and general manager Doug Hedley didn’t think the Kings played well against Neepawa, stating they got away with some things.
“We got caught standing and watching a bit. Good teams find ways to win and we definitely did that. I think we could have been better. Neepawa pushed hard. They had some good opportunities and (goaltender Austin) Seibel played real well. He made some big saves when he had to. Otherwise, they would have been back in the game,” he said.
That game was a continuation of the way the team has played in recent games.
“The last little while, we’ve been getting away with some stuff and I think we’ve got to get back to doing those little things better,” Hedley said. “Whether it’s getting to the paint to get second shots. Whether it’s putting pucks in behind the D-men, not turning pucks over at their blueline. Last night, we turned pucks over, over and over again and gave them opportunities on the rush. Fortunately for us, Seibel made some big saves when he had to.”
It’s a good way to learn, Hedley added, knowing the team can play with any team in the league.
“The speed is there. When we start moving pucks up ice and we start attacking bluelines with speed, we create some opportunities,” he said.
Winkler, playing their third game in as many days, kept the Kings from generating much in the way of scoring chances, blocking a lot of shots.
“If we had 25 shots total in the game, we probably had 25 blocked,” Hedley said. “Sooner or later, we’ve got to figure out you can’t just bury your head and shoot the puck. You’ve got to get your eyes up, get your chest up and maybe step fake and go around the guy who is sliding at you. In the last seven or eight minutes, they were down before we even shot the puck and we didn’t one time go around them.”
The Kings played better in the third period, using their speed to create chances, but could not solve Winkler netminder Malachi Klassen.
Winkler controlled the play through the first 40 minutes, outshooting Dauphin 30-11, an indication of the slow start by the Kings.
“You’ve got to give them credit. Their goaltender played well and they played well,” Hedley said.
The Kings added defenceman Charlie Sandven, who played eight games with the Minnesota Wilderness of the North American Hockey League.
The Edina, Minn. native brings size to the Kings blueline at six-feet, three-inches and 190-pounds.
“I like him. I like his mobility. He makes good first passes. He doesn’t do too much. He gets pucks up ice and snaps the puck hard. I really liked him and Trey tonight. They both played real well,” Hedley said. “We think he’s going to help our hockey club. I think he’s a real good D-man, moves well and he’s just going to get better and better.”
Forward Gavin Nemis is close to returning from a shoulder injury he sustained at the Showcase.
The Kings have just one game this week, hosting the Portage Terriers, Friday on Ag Night, with more than $10,000 in raffle prizes. Following the game will be a Skate with the Kings, where fans can skate with their favourite player.
Kings notes:
The Manitoba Junior Hockey League still has three teams in the Canadian Junior Hockey League’s top 10. The red hot Steinbach Pistons, 11-0-1-0 in their last 12 games, moved up from no. 8 to no. 4, while the Winkler Flyers dropped two, spots to no. 5. The Kings also dropped in the rankings to no. 9. The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Flin Flon Bombers sit atop the rankings, with a 14-1-1-0 record.
Top of the podium
Dauphin’s Breken Brezden won gold at the 2024 Manitoba Sectionals, this past weekend in Moose Jaw, Sask.
Brezden won the provincial title after posting a score of 46.48 in the short program and clinched her second straight provincial crown with a score of 87.37 in the long program, for an overall score of 133.85.
This result qualifies Brezden for the Skate Canada Challenge in Winnipeg in early December.
Weekend struggles offer lesson to Rangers
Riding a three-game winning streak entering a weekend doubleheader with the Winnipeg Wild in Dauphin, the Parkland Rangers were hoping for big things.
Instead, they learned a painful lesson about consistent hard work and intensity.
Winnipeg skated to a 7-1 win on Saturday, followed by a 10-0 victory on Sunday afternoon.
When asked about the difference between Parkland’s overtime win over the Wild earlier in the season compared to these two games, Rangers coach Tyler Carefoot cited Winnipeg’s compete level, work ethic and intensity.
“Those are things that come to mind. They’re a little more polished than when we saw them a few weeks ago. But in saying that, they’re also, I think, the youngest team in the league,” he said.
More in this week's Dauphin Herald!
Kings reclaim first with comeback win
A five-game winning streak has the Dauphin Kings back on top in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s MGEU West Division.
The latest victories came Friday, 5-3 over the Waywayseecappo Wolverines in Dauphin, and Saturday, a come-from-behind 3-2 shootout victory over the Virden Oil Capitals in Virden.
In Friday’s win, 901 spectators saw the teams trade first-period goals, with Aidan Brook and Trey Gnetz netting Dauphin’s goals, while Luke McCarthy and Garett Zasitko replied for the Wolverines.
Three goals in a span of 1:02 early in the third period broke the game open for Dauphin.
Logan Walker scored at 2:31 of the final frame, followed by Carter Zalischuk 16 seconds later and Alex Senf, 46 seconds after that.
Neo Kiemeney scored on a power play with 47 seconds left to round out the scoring.
Cole Sheffield made 23 saves to earn the win in goal, while Caleb Allen stopped 29 shots in taking the loss.
On Saturday, Josh Lehto staked Virden to an early lead on the power play, 3:58 into the first period.
Nolan Chastko made it 2-0 for Virden on another power play, 2:27 into the second period.
Dauphin pulled to within a goal when Havryil Simchuk scored with 2:25 left in the second and Gabriel Bugeaud tied it on a power play with six seconds left in the stanza.
After a scoreless third and overtime, the teams went to a shootout, where Jordan Bax and Alex Senf with the deciding goal in the fourth round scored for Dauphin.
Chastko had Virden’s lone goal in the shootout.
Sheffield made 39 saves to earn his 11th win of the season. Eric Reid took the loss after making 34 saves.
Dauphin improves to 12-2-0-0 on the season and sit two points ahead of Virden.
They will face the Neepawa Titans tonight, followed by a rematch, Saturday. Both games are in Neepawa.
Sunday, the Kings will host the Winkler Flyers at 4 p.m.
Kings court:
Friday’s win against Waywayseecappo and the 500th career win in the MJHL for Kings head coach and general manager Doug Hedley, joining Doug Stokes, Don MacGillivray, Blake Spiller and Ken Pearson in the 500-win club . . . The Kings moved up four spots in the Canadian Junior Hockey League Top 20 rankings. Dauphin now sits at no. 6, while Winkler moved up two spots to no. 3. Steinbach did not move at all, remaining at no. 8.
Firefighters, supporters gather for annual Ball
The longest running social in Dauphin was held, Saturday, as the Dauphin Fire Fighters Association hosted its 122nd Fire Fighters’ Ball.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Jack Carey Memorial Fire Fighter of the Year Award to Jordon Steiner.
In his remarks introducing Steiner, Dauphin fire chief Cam Abrey said Steiner is a past member of the executive of the firefighters’ association and has been an integral part in the past successes of the firefighters’ ball in previous years.
Abrey added Steiner continues to volunteer for the various events that the department takes part in and takes on a leadership role in every aspect of the department’s operations.
“Earlier this year, Dauphin Fire Department responded to a tragic accident as mutual aid to the Gilbert Plains Fire Department. In the hours, days and weeks following that incident, Jordon called or messaged not only members of DFD to check in on how they were doing, but also the members of GPFD,” Abrey said. “In June, following the incident that our fellow firefighters responded to at Carberry, Jordon suggested that Dauphin Fire send a contingent to their annual Cowboy Breakfast to show our support for them and what they had recently experienced.”
Steiner played a major role in an incident at Dauphin’s Countryfest when he came across an incident involving a festival goer that had been injured. First aid volunteers were there, but recognizing the urgency of the situation, he stepped up and assisted, in a major role, in getting the injured person to the ambulance and awaiting paramedics.
“I have worked alongside of this individual at training events and emergency response scenes and the level of compassion that they demonstrate when it comes to patient care is top notch,” Abrey stated. “Considering that he has recently started a new career, built a side business that he is committed to after his regular employment and has also become a new father, it is astonishing that he has still attended approximately 60 per cent of the calls over the past 10 months and almost 90 per cent of the weekly training. Astonishing, but not surprising given the integrity that he displays on a daily basis.”
Nominations for this Jack Carey Memorial Award are forwarded to the fire chief a month prior to the ball, submitted by the firefighters. There were five nominations received this year, all five were for Steiner, which Abrey said goes to show what an impression he has made on his fellow fire fighters.
“It’s a huge honour,” Steiner said.
Get the full story in this week's Dauphin Herald!
Laying out the hits
Norman Lacquette hits Minnedosa’s Rem Lemoing in the first period of Saturday’s game between the Dauphin Clippers and visiting Minnedosa Chancellors.
Sully Fox scored twice to lead the Clippers to a 5-2 win. William Miner, Liam Chartrand and Boston Karlson had Dauphin’s other goals, while Joe Tabin made 26 saves to earn the win in goal.
It was Dauphin’s second straight win, coming on the heels of a 5-4 shootout victory over the Hamiota/Rivers/Elton/Strathclair Huskies, Friday in Hamiota.
Chartrand scored twice in regulation, with Karlson and Ronin Mouck netting singles. Miner had the winner in the shootout, which lasted 12 rounds. Owen Chubka made 33 saves for the win.
Rangers sweep Thistles, riding three-game winning streak
The Parkland Rangers swept a weekend doubleheader over the Kenora Thistles, this past weekend.
A 5-3 win on Saturday and an 8-4 victory on Sunday, has the Rangers on a three-game winning streak going into a pair of home games with the Winnipeg Wild, this weekend.
Rangers assistant coach Colton Robak said the coaching staff was pleased with the team’s play over the weekend.
“It’s a big four points going into next weekend and next weekend is going to be even bigger against the Wild. We know we can beat them,” he said.
Parkland built a 7-2 lead 20 seconds into the third period of Sunday’s game, but Kenora, now winless in 11 games this season, made a game of it with three in the period.
“At the end of the third, we weren’t completely happy with the way we played. There’s some teaching points,” Robak said.
The Rangers may have played down to Kenora’s level at times, but when teams get a big lead, they sometimes sit back a bit.
But the Rangers, Robak said are having fun on their current winning streak.
“It’s getting into the boys’ heads that you’ve got to keep playing with that tenacity. You got to keep playing with a lot of grit right to the very end. It’s 60 minutes in a game,” he said.
The focus going into the two games with the Wild this weekend is to build off the success of the two games against Kenora.
Parkland worked on a lot of systems against Kenora to solidify those systems.
“So that, going into those games against the Wild, we just have to play smart and play simple. That’s the biggest thing right now,” Robak said. “The boys are having fun and we’ll go into this week for some practice and work on some things.”
Saturday’s game against the Wild begins at 7:30 p.m., while Sunday’s meeting gets underway at 1:30 p.m.