For the first time since late December, the Waywayseecappo Wolverines and Dauphin Kings will battle it out on Wednesday night, in what should be an intense matchup between two teams fighting for playoff positioning.
The Wolverines are coming off a 3-2 shootout loss at the hands of the Swan Valley Stampeders on Monday. Despite the loss, Waywayseecappo earned a valuable point in the playoff race that keeps them four points in front of the Winkler Flyers.
Monday’s comeback effort doesn’t go unnoticed either as Waywayseecappo fought back from being down two goals to send it to extra time before falling in the shootout.
The Run Down
Four out of five meetings against the Kings this season have been decided by one goal with the Wolverines going 2-3-0-0. In December, Isaac LaBelle and the Wolverines shutout the Kings 3-0 at the league showcase in Winnipeg before capping off 2018 with a 3-2 triumph of the Kings on home ice.
While the Wolverines are fresh off a shootout loss, the Kings enter action on Wednesday night as winners of four out of their last five contests including a pair of impressive 2-1 wins over the Steinbach Pistons.
Up to this point, all five games between these two clubs have been spirited affairs, to say the least. In what is always a classic rivalry, expect the season series finale to live up to expectations with playoff implications.
Keys to the Game
There’s no question that tempers will flare during Wednesday nights tilt. If the Wolverines can keep their emotions in check and stay out of the box at key moments the team should do well.
Waywayseecappo has one of the best penalty kill units in the MJHL, operating at 84.9% has the club third overall. The Wolverines have also scored the most shorthanded goals in the entire league with nine while giving up the least with just one.
Getting the crowd involved early will go a long way in energizing the team. Using their speed and finishing checks is all a part of the Wolverines game plan that gives them an opportunity to win on a nightly basis.
News and Notes
The Wolverines sit seven points back of the Kings in seventh place with two games in hand. Although the Wolverines are seven points back of both Dauphin and Winnipeg in seventh, Winnipeg and Waywayseecappo have played 54 games.
Captain, Jake Bestul continues to contribute offensively having scored one goal and eight assists over his past seven games including the game-tying goal on Monday night against Swan.
Isaac LaBelle will make his 16th straight start in net for the Wolverines on Wednesday night.
Game Updates
You can watch tonights game on hockeytv.com or follow along on social media…
mjhl_Wolverines – Twitter
Wayway Wolverines – Facebook
Instagram – wolverines_mjhl