Natives Visit Dauphin Tonight - A Preview
February 3, 2010
 AT 
The Matchup:
The Kings (43 wins and first place) and The Natives (28 wins and fourth place) sit 1st and 5th respectively in the league's win category. The Kings have had an exceptional season to date and, despite a few minor setbacks in January, remain a deserving national contender with a Canadian ranking of seventh. The Kings recently set a club record for wins in a season with their 43rd victory. The ever improving Natives have a 10 win, 6 loss record since the end of the Christmas break. They recently defeated Addison leaders Selkirk and Winnipeg handily and had recent 6-1 and 7-1 wins over Swan Valley and Steinbach. Offence aside, The Natives' defence is their forte, and they are currently second in the MJHL in shots given up and fluctuate between second and third in goals relinquished. The Natives lead the league in penalty minutes with close to 1500, while the ultra disciplined Kings are still below the 1000 PIM mark.
The Forecast:
The Kings are a talented and deep bunch, with many characteristics and ingredients of greatness. They can play it flashy and they also have players who can grind it out when needed. They have three lines who can infuse offence into any game and they have excellent goaltending and a very solid defence. The Kings are very well coached and they group well in all three zones. The Kings rarely beat themselves. They have also handled the pressure of being RBC hosts remarkably well. Coach Marlin Murray's group has faced the unenviable task of wearing the league's bullseys on a nightly basis, and has responded as well as any host team in RBC/Centennial Cup history.
The Natives play a methodical and systematic style, looking to limit scoring chances. Their offensive output has been climbing readily, as they have scored in excess of four goals on several occasions since the trade deadline, including last night's five goal output against the stingy Winnipeg Saints. They have also limited opponents to one or less goals six times in January, as well as a two goal against effort, and have two shutouts since the New Year. The team has received scoring from three lines this season, and have a defence that can engage offensively, when called upon. The Natives' power play and penalty kill are improving readily, and have been near the top of the league statistically in the new year. They are renowned for their work ethic, grit, toughness and willingness to stand up for each other in all circumstances. They are a team in the truest sense of the word.
The Prognosis:
If Dauphin is going to be successful, they will have to be able to beat The Natives stifling defensive zone and neutral zone coverage. They will also have to find seams to get to The Natives' net. The Natives' defence will have to combine sound decision making in their own end, with proficiency in advancing the puck through the neutral zone. The Kings will most likely look to establish net drive and a barrage of pressure on The Natives' net. Eliminating odd man rushes will be critcal for Neepawa. With that, they will have to find a way to keep sustained pressure on Dauphin's defence, because they have a mobile and talented group who require very little room to manouever.
Implications:
A Neepawa win will move them within one point of third place and within six points of second place in The Sher-Wood Division. They currently sit seven points ahead of fifth place OCN and are within striking distance of the third place Portage Terriers. The first place Kings, who have wrapped up first place in the division, are fine tuning for the playoffs and look to head into the post season on a hot streak, with all pistons firing.
The following is courtesy of the talented voice of the Dauphin Kings; kevinjeffery@wordpress.com . Kevin is a talented broadcaster and a pleasure to listen to when calling games.
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