Chiefs look to rebound

Times Reporter

 

After starting the season 3-0, the Wheatland Chiefs hit a roadblock in their fourth game of the season.

The local double-A midget team was defeated 7-2 by the Calgary CBHA Blackhawks on Oct. 12, in what head coach Devin Olson called disastrous.

“We we’re just horrible – we couldn’t do anything right,” said Olson. “It was just a real off-night for everybody. You have to put those ones past you because that is going to happen to you once in a while.”

While the first defeat of the season stung, the Chiefs rebounded with a solid performance for their lone weekend game versus the Airdrie Lightning on Oct. 14 at the Strathmore Family Centre.

However, despite peppering the Lightning with 49 shots and allowing only 21, the Chiefs suffered a 4-1 defeat, dropping their record to 3-2 on the season.

“It’s a tough one – when you outshoot them 49-21 and lose, it’s tough,” said the coach. “We were doing the same things we’ve been doing all year – just not getting guys in front of the net. Their goalie played good – we just didn’t get anyone in front of him.

“We got in trouble in the second period with penalties – it’s been a big thing (against) us too this year. Those are (our) two main (downfalls) and it cost us again.”

According to Olson, he liked the way the team responded in the third period, when they dominated play for the most part. However, they couldn’t get the bounces to go their way.

As the defending league champions, and having started the season 3-0, Olson knows the rest of the league is gunning for them.

“It’s not a bad thing to have (the bulls-eye on your back) because everyone knows who you are then,” smiled the coach. “It means that you did something good.”

The Chiefs are back in action this weekend, when they host the Cranbrook Ice on Oct. 21 (7:30 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre.