Braves piece season together
Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter
Despite going winless the first five games of the regular season, the Wheatland Braves are making strides for future success.
According to assistant coach Greg Grant, the local double-A peewee team is definitely climbing the learning curve.
“The biggest thing (for us), is from where we started from the beginning of the year (to where we are) now,” said Grant. “They’re starting to grasp some of the concepts that we’re trying to get across to them. A lot of these kids have not played at this level before, so it’s going to take some time.”
After being outscored 17-6 in their first three games of the season, the Braves impressed their coaching staff this past weekend. Wheatland played two tough teams, the Red Deer Parkland and the Red Deer TPS, losing each game by just two goals.
With just two returning players on the roster, the coaching staff admitted that they were hoping to see positive results later in the season. However, with the effort the Braves have displayed the last couple of weeks, the coaching staff is seeing results right now.
“We knew going in, that we were going to struggle from the start – maybe the first half of the season would not be that great,” said Grant. “But we do have some talent, we do have some ‘get up and go.’
“I think we’re starting to get the effort now – and that’s what we need to be successful.
“We’re starting to go in the right direction.”
According to Grant, the team is built from the net out – with solid goaltending, a stable of reliable defencemen and plenty of hard working forwards.
On Saturday, Riley Romashenko and Jason Hobson each scored once, as the Braves lost a tough 4-2 game to the Red Deer Parkland.
The following day at the Strathmore Family Centre, the Braves were clipped 6-4 by the TPS. Sarah Lecavalier scored twice to lead the way for the Braves, while Romashenko and Regan Doig each scored once. Tyler Pitrie collected three assists, while Kody Hammond added a pair of helpers.
The Braves will look to collect their first win of the season this coming weekend when they host the Airdrie Lightning Oct. 22, 8 p.m., at the Strathmore Family Centre. The team will then host the Bow Valley Timberwolves Oct. 24, 1:30 p.m.
Warriors all tied up
The Wheatland Warriors AA bantam team went to 2-2-2 on the season, after a 4-4 draw with the Okotoks Oilers Oct. 16 at the Strathmore Family Centre.
Riley Doiron scored two goals and added an assist, while Cody Willis and Matthew Rideout each tallied once.
The Warriors will now have the weekend off from regular season action, before hosting the Airdrie Lightning Oct. 31, 4:15 p.m., at the Strathmore Family Centre.
Chiefs split pair of road games
The Wheatland Chiefs AA midget team earned a hard-fought 6-5 win over the Calgary Bruins Oct. 13. Justin Fraser scored two goals and added an assist to lead the way for the Chiefs, while Rylan Muenchrath had a goal and two assists. Austin Larsen and Alex Bechtold each added a goal and an assist.
Muenchrath then scored the team’s lone goal in a 4-1 road loss to the Cranbrook Ice Oct. 16.
The Chiefs will look to avenge their loss this coming weekend, when they host the Ice on Oct. 23 at the Strathmore Family Centre. Game time is 5 p.m.