The Virden Oil Capitals take on the Steinbach Pistons in the second round of the MJHL Playoffs with a chance to move on and play for the Turnbull Trophy.
Season Series
Dec. 17th – 3-0 Pistons win
Dec. 18th – 4-0 Pistons win
Goalie Playoff Stats
Pistons
Will Hambley – 4-1, .904 SV%, 2.60 GAA, 1 shutout
Oil Capitals
Bailey Monteith – 4-0, .917 SV%, 2.90 GAA
Playoff Scoring Leaders
Pistons
Zach Power – 4 goals, 5 assists for 9 points
Braden Birnie – 4 goals, 4 assists for 8 points
Quinton Pepper – 1 goal, 6 assists for 7 points
Oil Capitals
Colin Cook – 3 goals, 1 assist for 4 points
Braden Fischer – 2 goals, 2 assists for 4 points
Evan Groening – 1 goal, 3 assists for 4 points
Series Thoughts:
Both the Steinbach Pistons and the Virden Oil Capitals roll into round number two after making it through a tough, tightly contested opening round series.
For the Pistons, the Selkirk Steelers provided a pesky, never-say-quit attitude throughout the 5-game series. Battling against a team with that much heart and character should help the Pistons going forward. The opening round proved that will can win over skill if skill wants to rely on that alone.
The top line has done their part and more, carrying the bulk of the offensive load through the first round. Timely goals from the forwards up and down the lineup has shown the depth of this lineup.
Defensively, Steinbach boasts a top six that can play fast, physical and move the puck quickly out of the zone. When they do get into trouble, Will Hambley has been there to make the save. It’s not always about how many but when a save is made.
For the Oil Capitals, they come in perhaps just as hot as the Pistons as they’ve put together quite a run of late, showing it off with a solid handling of the Waywayseecappo Wolverines.
For Virden up front, it’s about balance. They have the big dogs that they can rely on when they need but they’ve built a solid forward group who can chip in with offence without sacrificing defensive structure.
On the blue line, they have dynamic skaters that can create with either a strong pass or by themselves with their legs. If there is an issue, the belief they have in Bailey Monteith has grown and keeps continuing to grow as he’s shown he can be the man in the crease.
There are areas both teams need to work on heading into the series.
For the Pistons, they’ll need a solid 60-minute effort every night. Also, sticking with the plan as a structured Oil Caps team will try to frustrate them, just like the Steelers did in round 1.
Virden on the other hand, will have to make sure pucks move quickly out of their zone. If they get hemmed in, Steinbach’s strong forwards can generate a lot of pressure and chances down low.
Series Dates:
Friday, April 15th in Steinbach
Saturday, April 16th in Steinbach
Tuesday, April 19th in Virden
Wednesday, April 20th in Virden
*Friday, April 22nd in Steinbach
*Sunday, April 24th in Virden
*Tuesday, April 26th in Steinbach
* – If Necessary
