The OCN Blizzard and Dauphin Kings will meet eight times before the Christmas break and meeting one is set for Friday night inside of the Gordon Lathlin Memorial Centre.
Dauphin enters the evening in a tie for second place in the Northwest Division with a record of 2-2 while OCN has gone 0-3-1 in their four games and they're at the bottom of the Division. Although OCN is winless, they have shown signs of strong play throughout the season.
In their third game against Swan Valley, they gave up a 2-0 and 4-2 lead as they lost 5-4 in overtime. The very next night, the Blizzard was up 4-1 with less than six minutes left against the Stampeders before they lost, 5-4.
OCN is led by Trent Crane and Aiden Litke -- both of which have five points -- however, Litke won't play on Friday evening as he serves a one-game suspension. 20-year-old Danick Rodrigue has played 109 minutes this season and he has certainly struggled.
He has a 6.06 goals-against average to go along with a .838 save percentage. In fact, all three of OCN's goalies that have played this season have a save percentage below .900 and a goals-against-average of at least 4.22.
"I don't think the numbers prove much. They have solid goaltending that certainly has the ability to play very well," said Doug Hedley, Head Coach, and General Manager. "We feel that we can exploit their back end with our speed. They have a really solid top six and the bottom line is we're going to have to have our A-game."
Charles Massey has been one of Dauphin's leaders early in the season. The 20-year-old has scored four times already in four games while he also has one assist.
He trails Grady Hobbs who has five goals and six total points this season. Although his offensive touch has been surprising to Hedley so far, the bench boss knew the young man had it in him.
"The scouting report on him was that he was a hard-working player and that's the case," offered Hedley. "With the opportunities he's had in our top six, he's made the most of it. He's fit in very well."
If they get the chance, Dauphin would love to boost their power play which is off to a very tough start. They've scored just two times on 18 chances. The team's penalty kill; meanwhile, has gone 17-for-21 early in the season.
In the other Northwest Division tilt on Friday, the Swan Valley Stampeders (4-0) play the Waywayseecappo Wolverines (2-2). Darnell Duff will get the broadcast going with the Parkland Source for Sports pregame show at 8:15.
