Mack Hardy had a career night tonight, picking up four points, guiding the Oil Caps to a 5-2 win over the visiting Selkirk Steelers.
Dylan Thiessen got the ball rolling in the first period just 1:20 into the opening frame. Hardy and Corey Haverstick drew the assists. Selkirk evened things up at 1-1 midway through the frame on a goal from Adam Wowryk.
Haverstick answered for the Oil Caps 1:12 later on a rocket from the slot to give Virden a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes.
Selkirk battled back again in the second period on a goal from Brady Bouchard. However, the Oil Caps promptly responded with a goal from Ben Williams, his 22nd of the season, to extend his point streak to six games.
Soren Frederiksen added another for the home side to extend the lead to 4-2 after 40 minutes. Hardy put a dagger into the Steelers, 40 seconds into the third with his 11th of the season and fourth point of the night.
Sean Kuehn held the fort the rest of the way making 33 saves on the night.
Just minutes before Williams goal, Kurt Johnas broke in across the blue line and fired a shot in on goal that ricocheted of the mask of Selkirk net minder, Teagan Sacher. Sacher hit the ice, visibly shaken, but remained in the game. Shortly after Williams goal, Sacher pulled himself from the game. Hayden Dola played the final 26 minutes of the contest in his relief.
With the win, the Oil Caps improve to 24-15-6 on the season and now sit one point behind the Winkler Flyers for fourth in the MJHL standings.
Virden completes their five-game home stand with a 4-1 record and will head to Dauphin this Friday night to face the Kings. They’ll continue north to Swan River on Saturday to take on the Swan Valley Stampeders.