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Friday, April 4, 2025

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The Virden Oil Kings’ successful season came to an end in the Tiger Hills Hockey League finals.

The senior team fell 4-2 to the Killarney Shamrocks in game four of the best-of-five championship series. The victory lifted the Shamrocks to a 3-1 series win. The Killarney team will now play the Ste. Anne Aces in the Manitoba Senior A Provincial Final.

The Oil Kings were seeking to win the first senior championship in team history. The squad last came close when it made it to the 1998 and 1999 North Central Hockey League finals.

“The finals didn't end the way we wanted but getting there for the first time in 26 years was a step in the right direction,” Virden coach Ryan Mathieson said. “There was a great atmosphere at the games, the pace was fast with some great hockey played. I felt we played some good hockey but didn’t have the puck luck. Killarney is good team and played well, congratulations to them, they will represent the THHL well in provincials.”

Oil Kings veteran defenceman Joel Cosens recalls the days of the senior team drawing small crowds He said seeing Tundra Oil & Gas Place full for the finals was “pretty special.”

“That’s the first finals I’ve ever been in, so it was pretty exciting to be in that position…. Having never been there before, it was great to have guys around that have,” Cosens said. “To see their leadership qualities come through and the second efforts and demeanour off the ice, there’s a reason they’ve won before and that was really cool to see. It didn’t play out how I had hoped, but it was a fantastic group of men to do it with.”

The Oil Kings succeed with a strong core of returning players such as Ty Lewis, Jeremy Johnson, Tristin Rinn, Tanner Lewis, Keifer Johnston, Cosens, and others meshing well with talented newcomers. Some of the new faces brought the playoff experience Cosens alluded to. For example, with the two-time defending THHL champion Miniota-Elkhorn C-Hawks taking a leave of absence, Bradley Bowles, Jason Bowles and Dillin Stonehouse joined the Oil Kings. Bradley Bowles paced the THHL regular season in points (54) and assists (39) in 15 games. Younger newcomers such as former Virden Oil Capitals junior goalie Eric Reid and defenceman Nolan Wallace also played key roles.

Season Recap

In 2024-2025, the Oil Kings posted a

13-2-0-1 record for 27 points in the standings. That was second in the THHL to Killarney (14-1-1-0, 29).

The Oil Kings opened the campaign with four straight wins. There was a bump in the road with three straight losses, including one in overtime. An OT victory over Melita started a nine-game winning streak that the Oil Kings concluded the regular season on.

Virden opened their playoffs by sweeping the Melita Bisons, 3-0, in the THHL semifinals. The brooms came out again as the Oil Kings swept the Hartney Blues, 3-0, in the Western Division finals.

“This season we were able to find ways to win games with different guys stepping up and filling various roles,” Mathieson said. “Overall, our success came down to the commitment the team showed through the year. Every one of them has a busy life outside of senior hockey but they make it work and come to play.”

As well, the team had strong commitment from its fans and sponsors. Mathieson said:

“We had some great crowds all year with the building absolutely rocking in the finals, which was great to experience. The support we get from the community is truly amazing; the volunteers, sponsors, and fans are unbelievable, and we truly appreciate them. Senior hockey doesn't exist without them.”

THHL Finals Game Four

Shamrocks 4, Oil Kings 2

The Oil Kings earned a 5-2 victory in game three on March 25 to extend the series. On March 27 in Virden, the Oil Kings got out to a strong start. Lewis and Johnson lit the lamp to give Virden a 2-0 lead.

The Shamrocks were rolling in the second period. They scored three goals. Mike Reykdal had two goals and Jesse Toth one. Reykdal’s second marker put his team ahead and came on a powerplay. In the third, Ty Enns scored for Killarney.

In game four, Reid made 20 saves. Killarney netminder Brian Archibald stopped 29 shots.

Enns was named the league’s Most Valuable Player in the playoffs. He paced the THHL postseason with 33 points in 12 games.

The Oil Kings’ Ty Lewis led the THHL playoffs in goals with 14 goals over eight games. Bradley Bowles was second in playoff scoring with 30 in 10 games. Lewis was third with 25. Jeremy Johnson was fifth in playoff scoring. He had 15 points in eight games

Oil Kings fall in

THHL finals

By Robin Wark