The Dauphin Kings earned a split over the weekend and remain in third place in the MGEU West Division of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
Dalton Andrew scored twice, with both goals coming on the power play to lead the Winkler Flyers to a 3-2 in over the Kings, Friday in Winkler.
The Flyers built a 3-0 lead after 40 minutes and hung on in the third period as the Kings pulled to within one, late in the game.
On Saturday in Winnipeg, the Kings upended the Freeze, 6-1, with Madden Murray, Rylan Gibbs and Sheldon Shyiak each netting a goal and an assist and Gavin Nemis chipping in with a pair of helpers.
Kings head coach and general manager Doug Hedley liked the team’s pushback against Winkler.
“We got down a couple of power-play goals, but really had a solid third period and pushed back. We had a real good chance to tie the game with about 10 seconds left and it didn’t happen. But at the same time, I’m happy with the effort, for sure,” he said.
Momentum was tough to come by with the number of penalties called in the game. The two teams combined for 13 power plays.
“At times I thought we were playing in the Federal League. There was a scrum just about every time, two or three guys jumping guys. And for some reason, the officials allowed a lot of it, not giving 10’s (misconducts) or anything,” Hedley said. “It was a playoff type atmosphere. I was really happy with the way the guys responded and pushed back. We were on our heels for a bit at the start. They came at us hard. But the good thing is we hung tough and almost got a point out of that game.”
It took a while to get going against the Freeze.
Hedley said those are tough games when you’re up to face one team in a playoff-type of atmosphere and then face a team that is out of the playoffs.
“It wasn’t our greatest effort, but we found ways to score and we found ways to get it done when we had to,” he said.
This week, the Kings have three games, all on home ice, against teams below them in the standings.
The week gets underway, Tuesday, when the Neepawa Titans come to town, followed by a Friday night date with the Waywayseecappo Wolverines. On Saturday, the Winnipeg Blues visit Credit Union Place.
All three games begin at 7:30 p.m.
Hedley said this is an important stretch for his team.
“There’s time in March there towards the end of the season where there’s a lot of road games. So we’ve got to take advantage of being at home,” he said. “Neepawa is a tough test. They’re playing real well. They’ve beat some good teams lately. They’re fighting for their lives in the playoffs, with Wayway right on their heels. They’ll be coming in hard. We’re going to have to bring our A game and make sure we’re ready to play,” he said.
At 25-13-1-0, the Kings have 51 points and are three back of the Blizzard, with four games in hand.
