Lots of great hockey on tap for day one at the WCC.
The Dauphin Kings completed the Manitoba sweep Saturday at Credit Union Place, beating the Spruce Grove Saints 4-2 in game two of the Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup.
It was Dauphin’s most complete game in awhile as they put together an excellent first period and carried it over into the second, going up 3-1 by the halfway point of the contest. The Kings only had two scorers Saturday evening, Jared Morris (1 & 2) and Tanner Butler (1 & 2). Putting the puck in for the Saints were Parker Mackay (1) and Riley Simpson (1).
Jordan Piccolino of the Kings played very good in goal, making key saves at important times. In the end he stopped 29 of 31 shots. Dauphin put 26 on Spruce Grove’s Kenny Cameron.
Special Teams were important for both clubs on the night, especially the Kings. Dauphin ended the game 2 for 5 on the Power Play and 2 for 3 on the Penalty Kill.
Player of the game awards went to Dauphin’s Tanner Butler and Spruce Grove’s Parker Mackay.
It’s a quick turnaround for the Spruce Grove Saints. They return to the ice Sunday afternoon against the idle Coquitlam Express, Dauphin battles Yorkton in the evening affair which will likely be sold out come puck drop.
Earlier in the day, the Winnipeg Blues picked up right where they left off in the MJHL Playoffs, beating the Yorkton Terriers 3-1 in the first game of the 2014 Western Canada Cup.
Winnipeg once again scored in a bunch, all their goals came in the opening period. Jake Stilwell (1), Ryan Bittner (1) and Clay Tait (1) all had goals in the opening frame and that’s all the Blues would need. All were even strength. Yorkton did play well in stretches but were unable to capitalize.
The lone goal for the Terriers came of the stick of Riley Hunt (1). Yorkton’s Penalty Kill was very strong Saturday afternoon, it went 6 for 6 while their Power Play was 1 for 2.
Shots went the way of the Terriers as well, they put 26 on Byron Spriggs while Winnipeg launched 24 at Riley Medves. That was the main story actually, Riley Medves was the started for Yorkton. Their number one tender Kale Thomson apparently came down with the flu and could not play. Yorkton will hope to have him back tomorrow night when they face the Dauphin Kings. Winnipeg is off tomorrow, they’ll meet Coquitlam Monday night.
Player of the game awards went to Bresciani of the Blues and Thompson of the Terriers.
The Blues have Sunday off at the Western Canada Cup. At 2:00pm Coquitlam faces Spruce Grove then at 7:00pm Yorkton meets Dauphin.
Story by Christian Laughland