Kings make tough decisions after Black & Gold game

Times Editor

 

The coaching staff of the Wheatland Kings had the difficult job of telling a handful of players news they did not want to hear.

The local Junior B team made some difficult cuts after the annual Black & Gold game Sept. 5 at the Strathmore Family Centre, which saw the Gold (Whites) defeat the Black team 6-5 in overtime.

According to Kings head coach and general manager Doug Murphy, the game was exactly what he wanted to see prior to making the cuts.

“It was really good – there was a lot of speed and it was really competitive – it’s kind of been that way all through camp,” said Murphy. “We ended up with a few players injured, but things look extremely good for the upcoming season. 

“As good as it looks out there, we still have players in Junior A camp, (so if they come back) it should look even better.”

It was a wide-open offense game, which saw both teams light the lamp five times during regulation time, before the Gold team iced it in overtime.

Murphy said he was impressed with the creativity of his players and it forced him and his coaching staff to make a few tough decisions.

“They’re always tough (to make cuts),” said Murphy. “We were down to 28 players (for) the game and we’ll go to about 22 players after the game. It’s good to have tough decisions to make.”

The Wheatland Kings will now open the preseason this coming weekend when they host Three Hills on Sept. 10 (8 p.m.) and Okotoks on Sept. 11 (4:30 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre.

Wheatland will open the regular season on Sept. 23 in Didsbury.