Forward Ben Dalke scored a power-play goal 5:53 into double overtime as the Virden Oil Capitals beat the Winkler Flyers 2-1, tying the best of seven MJHL quarterfinal series 2-2. The game was full of chances for both teams but the Oil Caps potent playoff power-play was the difference in Virden’s second straight win of the series.
Back on the road after dropping Game Three at home on Tuesday night, the Flyers were back in Virden looking to take a commanding lead in the series. After missing the last 19 games due to injury, regular season leading scorer Scott Gall was back in the line-up for Winkler looking to pick up where he left off offensively.
The Oil Caps caught a break early in the first period when Jordan Thomson’s shot from the point deflected off a body in front and found the back of the net, giving the home team a 1-0 lead. It was the third time in the series that Virden has scored the first goal of the game.
Trailing 1-0 entering the second, the Flyers picked up the pace. Just before the midway point of the period, Will Blake found defenseman Tyler Jubenvill in the left wing slot and the 17 year old Gilbert Plains product tied the game 1-1. Nolan McGuire also assisted on Jubenvill’s fourth point of the post season.
Still tied in the final period of regulation, the Flyers came within inches of taking the lead on a number of occasions but overtime would be needed for the second time in the series. With the first 10 minute overtime period solving nothing, a fifth period would decide things.
Of the eight goals scored by Virden in the first three games, seven of them were scored with an extra man on the ice. That trend continued in double overtime when Ben Dalke scored the Oil Caps seventh power-play goal of the playoffs to give the home team the 2-1 series tying win.
Troy Martyniuk made 42 saves in the loss as the Oil Capitals outshot the Flyers 44-37. The Flyers were 0-for-2 on the power-play and 1-for-2 on the penalty-kill.
Game Five of the series will take place in Winkler on Friday night (March 17th). Advance tickets are available at the Winkler Coop Gas Bar or at the door prior to the game. Winkler Coop is once again the game sponsor, and you will have a chance to win one of 15 free car washes by filling in the back of your game ticket and placing it in the draw box in the arena lobby. Game time is 7:30pm.
GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE THREE STARS
1ST STAR – F BEN DALKE (VIRDEN)
2ND STAR – F WILL BLAKE (WINKLER)
3RD STAR – D JORDAN THOMSON (VIRDEN)