The MJHL schedule maker needs some help in the creativity department. Tonight's matchup is the third of three straight against the Oil Capitals (8-8-5), the two teams also meet the weekend after next on a Brandon area road swing.
The OCN/ Virden game is one of three on tap for tonight in the MJHL as Dauphin is in Swan Valley and the Pistons host the Blues.
The Blizzard (15-6-1) have taken the last two matchups between these two clubs by scores of 6-3 (in Virden) and 4-1 (in OCN).
During the Murray GM Pre-Game show on Friday before OCN's 4-1 win over Virden at home Oil Capitals Head Coach Troy Leslie spoke about that Tuesday's loss to OCN in Virden by a 6-3 score saying "we got caught watching the skill level of these guys in the first period and that got us off our game."
The first period of that game on Friday was much better for the young Oil Capitals team, they skated with the Blizzard and held the play for extended periods of time, but a sloppy second by the Blizzard didn't convert into a lead for the Oil Capitals. Instead Garick Gray tied the game in the dying minutes of the second period and gave the Blizzard all the momentum heading into the third where OCN would take over.
The Blizzard are the better team on paper, but they can't take Virden lightly tonight. Their young lineup adjusted well to the raucous atmosphere on the GLMC on Friday and tonight being a Wednesday night matchup the crowd will be a little thinner.
Taking six of six points against a division rival is massive early on this season and comes with a crucial game tonight.
Neither the Blizzard nor the Oil Capitals have played since Friday.
Alex Henry (4-4) got the start on Friday and played better as the game wore on, he will get his second consecutive start tonight. While Kyler Beckett (4-9) played admirably for the Oil Capitals on Friday.
Young Oil Capitals goaltender Ty Edmonds (4-4) has returned from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia where he competed in the CJHL Top Prospects game for Team West and might make a return between the pipes this evening.
The OCN Blizzard come into tonight's matchup winners of their last three while the Oil Capitals have now lost 4 of their last 5.
Tonight's matchup will feature the leagues top goal scorers as Garick Gray (15 goals) and Richard Olson (14 goals) duke it out again.
The Oil Capitals traditionally boast a very strong powerplay but they've been struggling in their last three games going 0/14. Their powerplay was ranked second in the MJHL before the two teams met for the first time last Wednesday clicking over 25%.
As of today their powerplay has dropped to fifth in the league at 22.68%. OCN's powerplay is dead last in the MJHL at just 11.49%.
Meanwhile OCN and Virden have the two top penalty killing stats in the league. Virden is first at 86.76% while OCN sits at 83.05%.
Tonight should be another exciting one at the GLMC. It also marks the return of Head Coach Jim Mollard behind the OCN bench.
Puck drop is at 7:00PM. Neither tonight's game nor any of this weekend's games on the road will be broadcast, we will be back on the air on Friday November 23rd in Waywayseecappo.
I will try and keep you all updated as much as possible throughout the weekend. I will be in Thompson and will have a chance to catch Saturday's NorMan Northstars game.
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