Kings make it eight
Mario Prusina
Times Editor
The Wheatland Kings created a some history this past weekend when they earned a 2-2 draw versus the Cochrane Generals on Nov. 11 and a 4-3 win over the Ponoka Stampeders the following day at the Strathmore Family Centre.
The local junior-B team has collected at least a point in each of their past eight games, establishing a new franchise record, while improving to 8-5-1-2 on the season.
According to head coach and general manager Doug Murphy, it is the best stretch of hockey his club has put together since they entered the league.
“Without question – and it is also the most consistent hockey we’ve played” said Murphy. “Our power play and our penalty kill are right up there with the best teams in the league, so that’s good too.
“Also, in the last three weeks, we’ve had players go down (to injury) for significant stretches – so we’ve also managed to battle through a lot of adversity and still come away with the points.
“We’re very happy where we have gone in the last eight games.”
While Murphy acknowledges his team is playing well, he also knows there are things to work on to make the next step. He said the team must learn to remain disciplined and not take penalties at inopportune times.
This past weekend, the Kings used their composure to secure three points, starting with a 2-2 draw in Cochrane against one of the top teams in the league.
Parker Georgsen opened the scoring in the first period when he converted a feed from Hayden Warrack. The Generals responded with a pair of second period goals, before Racey Big Snake tied the game in the third period when he took a pass from Cody Burndred and Austin Larsen.
Golatender Bryce Halverson made a whopping 58 saves to preserve the point for the Kings.
“The Cochrane game on Friday night was absolutely outstanding,” said Murphy. “We played well, but Bryce was lights-out in goal. He put on a clinic.
“We have beaten Cochrane once in exhibition, but in the team’s history, this is the first time we have not lost to them in a regular season (game).
“We were happy last year to be in a one-goal game with them, but to play right with them this year is exactly where we want to be.”
After such an emotional game versus the Generals, the Kings suffered a minor letdown the following day when they hosted the league-worst Ponoka Stampeders.
The Kings surrendered a 2-1 first period lead, before scoring three unanswered goals, including two in the second period, to take control of the game.
Sam Lonnberg and Brandon Neufeld led the attack with a goal and an assist each, while Austin Fisher and Aaron Elaschuk each added a goal in the win.
“The guys came out a little flat – sometimes you do that against the less-talented teams in the league,” said Murphy. “You have a team coming in 0-12 and you are not as mentally prepared as you should be. All of the sudden, you’re fighting to get back into the game.”
Raising money for a good cause
Some of the Wheatland Kings are not working their shavers as much this month, as a handful of players are taking part in the Movember campaign. The team hopes to raise at least $8,000 for prostate cancer and other men’s health issues during the month, while sporting the old-fashioned moustache.
If the team hits their goal, they will have the opportunity to shave the head of Cory Moore, the Community Relations Manager for the team, during the intermission of an upcoming home game.
For now, some of the players who are taking part in the campaign are growing a better moustache than others.
“Sometimes you want to laugh,” said Murphy poking fun. “With some of them, it’s hard to tell that they’re growing a moustache. Others, like Ty Britton, it looks like he hasn’t shaved before.”
If you would like to donate money to the team for this cause, please visit their Movember website (http://ca.movember.com/mospace/1721990/) for full details.