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Friday, January 30, 2026

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While it was cold outside in January, the Virden Oil Capitals heated up Manitoba Junior Hockey League rinks with their play.

The squad compiled a 10-0-1-0 record during the first month of 2026. Head coach Tyson Ramsey said he believed it was a team record for January. Last week, the Oil Capitals added three more victories. They beat Swan Valley 7-1, the Steinbach Pistons 4-3 in overtime, and the Winnipeg Monarchs 4-1. Those victories extended the team’s winning streak to eight games. What has allowed the Oil Capitals to be successful?

“I think we played consistent hockey for the most part,” Ramsey said. “If we got away from our game, we were able to get back on track quickly. We got good goaltending, we defended hard as a group, and got timely scoring. Our power play was also very good. Real good efforts up and down our lineup.”

As of Feb. 3, the Oil Capitals topped the MJHL’s MGEU West Division with a 26-10-2-0 record. On Feb. 4, the team played the Northern Manitoba Blizzard after the Empire-Advance deadline. The Oil Caps host the Dauphin Kings on Feb. 6 and play in Niverville on Feb. 7.

Ramsey’s Contract Extended

The organization announced that Ramsey’s contract had been extended for four years - through the 2029-30 season. Ramsey was the MJHL Coach of the Year in 2023 and, as of Feb. 3, had a 195-118-22 regular-season record and was 16-11 in the playoffs.

“Tyson’s impact on our program goes far beyond wins and losses,” team governor Bob Berry stated on the Oil Caps’ website. “He has built a culture of accountability, development, and professionalism that aligns perfectly with what we want the Virden Oil Capitals to represent in the MJHL.”

On the website, Ramsey stated, in part, “I am so appreciative of the support our hockey club receives from season ticket holders, business partners and fans and there is no other place I would rather be. … I’m very excited to continue working with our hockey operations, office staff and players as we push toward our goal of winning MJHL championships.”

Players Recognized
Oil Caps forward Colten Worthington was named one of the MJHL Stars of the Week on Feb. 2. He recorded two goals and five assists over three games.

Braxton Burdeny was named the MJHL’s McMunn & Yates Goaltender of the Month for January.

He posted seven wins in as many starts. Burdeny had two shutouts in January and now has four on the season. He made 174 saves on 185 shots in January.

Nate Schaefer was selected as the league’s Safe Work Manitoba Defenceman of the Month. He racked up 17 points, including three goals, in 11 games. Schaefer had five assists in one contest against the Blizzard.

Bryan Laing earned the Chevrolet Rookie of the Month award for January. He had five goals and 10 points in 10 games.

Last Week

On Jan. 27, the Oil Capitals galloped in the last two periods on the way to a 7-1 victory over the Stampeders. Worthington scored in the last five minutes of the opening frame. It seemed to spark the hosts as they scored three in the second period and a trio in the third. Tyson Ulmer, Brooks Siemens and Lucas Laramee lit the lamp in the second period. The Oil Caps got goals from defencemen Lincoln Black-Greaves, Schaefer, and Austin Osiowy. The Stamps’ lone goal came from Trace Langan in between Virden’s sixth and seventh goals. Oil Caps goaltender Burdeny stopped 20 shots. For Swan Valley, Easton Falls made 38 saves.

The Oil Capitals trailed the Pistons, 2-0, after the first period at home on Jan. 30. That deficit increased to 3-0 about 13 minutes into the second frame. Hometown product Bryce Bryant got Virden on the scoreboard with just over a minute left to play in the period with a power play goal. Siemens and Worthington scored power play markers in the first two minutes of the third to knot the score at 3-3. London Hoilett scored the game winner with the man advantage 2:08 into overtime. Burdeny turned away 30 shots.

“I thought the second and third periods were real good for us,” Ramsey said, “We got behind early on a couple turnovers and a bad bounce but in the second and third we generated numerous chances five-on-five and then our power play was able to take advantage of some undisciplined play by the opposition. A real good win.”

In Winnipeg on Jan. 31, the Oil Caps scored twice in each of the last two periods to beat the Monarchs, 4-1. Laing and Hoilett, on a power play, scored in the frame. Siemens and Bryant had third period goals before the Monarchs scored. Virden goalie Micky Gross allowed one goal on 36 shots.

Oil Capitals blaze through January, extend winning streak to eight games

By Robin Wark