A 6-1 win in Game 5 gave the Dauphin Kings a 4-1 series win over the SJHL Champion La Ronge Ice Wolves in the ANAVET Cup.Steven Shamanski (2), Cody Esposito, Ryan Dreger, Zeanan Ziemer and Mitch Czibere scored for the Kings, Doug Lindensmith got the Ice Wolves' only marker. Joel Danyluk saw 56 shots in the La Ronge net.
With that, the Kings go through the front door to the RBC Cup, which they're hosting May 1-9. La Ronge will also be there as the Western Rep.
Congrats to Marlin Murray and the Kings... they had something special going all year, with 50 regular season wins, and now a 16-2 record in the playoffs. They knew they had to have a competitive team to host a National Championship, and I really think they've got a great chance of winning it. A lot of people asked me all season, 'Can any SJ team beat Dauphin this year?' Although I never went public or anything, I always felt from covering both leagues that the Kings were (by far) the most talented in either province, and the only question was if they could get it done in the playoffs... and, well... they did!
La Ronge clearly had their hands full... BUT, never had their 'A' team all series, with Captain Dustin Stevenson playing just 3 games, and Mike Alexander only 2. Whether it was precautionary or not, one would have to assume Stevenson and Alexander will play every game in the RBC if they're anywhere NEAR 100%.
And of course it's not a Best-of-Seven during the RBC, it's a simple round robin with a semi and a final, so anything can happen... but I personally don't see anyone East of Manitoba keeping up with the Kings, simply because the Ontario and Maritime teams rarely challenge for the title.
Call it speculation... but here's me predicting a Vernon Vipers/Dauphin Kings RBC Final on Sunday May 9th, live on TSN!
Listened to both Kings' Voice Kevin Jeffrey on 730 CKDM and Dallas Hicks on La Ronge Radio MBC... both guys are outstanding at what they do. Am I jealous? Of course! But happy for them both, and look forward to tuning in more in early May.
Congrats to Marlin Murray and the Kings... they had something special going all year, with 50 regular season wins, and now a 16-2 record in the playoffs. They knew they had to have a competitive team to host a National Championship, and I really think they've got a great chance of winning it. A lot of people asked me all season, 'Can any SJ team beat Dauphin this year?' Although I never went public or anything, I always felt from covering both leagues that the Kings were (by far) the most talented in either province, and the only question was if they could get it done in the playoffs... and, well... they did!
La Ronge clearly had their hands full... BUT, never had their 'A' team all series, with Captain Dustin Stevenson playing just 3 games, and Mike Alexander only 2. Whether it was precautionary or not, one would have to assume Stevenson and Alexander will play every game in the RBC if they're anywhere NEAR 100%.
And of course it's not a Best-of-Seven during the RBC, it's a simple round robin with a semi and a final, so anything can happen... but I personally don't see anyone East of Manitoba keeping up with the Kings, simply because the Ontario and Maritime teams rarely challenge for the title.
Call it speculation... but here's me predicting a Vernon Vipers/Dauphin Kings RBC Final on Sunday May 9th, live on TSN!
Listened to both Kings' Voice Kevin Jeffrey on 730 CKDM and Dallas Hicks on La Ronge Radio MBC... both guys are outstanding at what they do. Am I jealous? Of course! But happy for them both, and look forward to tuning in more in early May.
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