The Pas, MB — The Northern Manitoba Blizzard officially opened their 2026-27 pre-season on Monday night, taking on the Dauphin Kings in their first game action of training camp.
While the Blizzard ultimately fell 5–2, the opening pre-season contest provided a valuable first look at some of the team in game action and plenty of positives to build on as camp continues.
The Blizzard came out with energy and established themselves early, but it was the Kings who opened the scoring, with Collin Friedrich finding the back of the net to give Dauphin an early lead.
The Blizzard answered back shortly after. Connor Smith created a quality scoring opportunity by throwing the puck from behind the goal line toward the front of the Dauphin net, finding its way across the line to even the game at 1–1.
The opening frame continued to feature plenty of intensity, with both teams battling hard in what quickly became a physical and penalty-filled affair. The two clubs combined for 77 minutes in penalties, adding another layer to an already competitive first test.
Dauphin would regain the lead before the end of the first period and add two more goals early in the second, including a pair on the power play, to take a 4–1 advantage.
The Blizzard continued to battle though, and their effort was rewarded midway through the second, as Sutten Emelson came through with a shorthanded goal to bring the Blizzard back within two, recording his first goal of the 2026-27 pre-season. The goal also marked the first pre-season points for Jimmy Wilcox and Zack Schmidt, who picked up assists on the play.
Northern Manitoba continued to compete throughout the remainder of the night, showing plenty of fight, including one with the hands from Tristan Van Olm, giving the coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate the group further against another MJHL opponent.
The Kings would add one more power-play goal in the third period, with Max George finding the net to make it 5–2 and ultimately seal the result. Despite the loss, Monday night’s matchup served exactly the purpose of a first pre-season game: an opportunity to compete, evaluate, and identify areas to build on.
With the first game under their belts, the Blizzard now turn their attention toward the next stage of training camp. The team will enjoy an off-day Tuesday before returning to game action on Friday evening, when the Swan Valley Stampeders come to town for the Blizzard’s first home pre-season action of the 2026-27 campaign.
