Kings Prepped for RBC Cup

  High stakes hockey continues for the Dauphin Kings and the club can’t wait to get started.
 
  Dauphin delivered in the final game of the Western Canada Cup last Sunday, staging a dramatic comeback from a 3-1 third period deficit to secure their spot for the National Junior ‘A’ Hockey Championship in Vernon, B.C.
 
  "We came off that huge emotional win and just to be able to go out there and keep our season going," said Dauphin captain and Brandon product Mitch Van Teeling earlier this week, "Especially as a 20-year-old, it was pretty special."
 
  The road the Kings have travelled to get to the RBC Cup has them battle tested.
 
  Dauphin finished runner-up to the Winnipeg Blues in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Turnbull Cup Final, and lost the Western Canada Cup championship game to the Yorkton Terriers on home ice.
 
  "Our ability to overcome adversity and battle back, we’ll be down in the third period by a goal or two," said Brandon product Brayden Cuthbert, "I just don’t think you can ever count our guys out."
 
  The Kings start the tournament on Saturday afternoon against the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots, with the host Vernon Vipers, Carleton Place Canadians and Yorkton Terriers also at the tournament.
 
  "We just got to come in there and get that first win," said Cuthbert, "It’ll get everyone going and let them know we’re here to play."
 
  "Playing Toronto on that first day, if we get off to a good start, get settled in, maybe catch a team by surprise," added Van Teeling, "Every win is important there."
 
  If Dauphin can bring back the top prize, it’ll end a 40-year drought.
 
  The last Manitoba team to win the National Junior A Hockey Championship was the Selkirk Steelers in 1974.