Kings move up in standings

Times Editor

 

The Wheatland Kings have won three games in a row before, but according to head coach Doug Murphy, not in this fashion.

The local junior-B team swept their three-game weekend – starting with an 8-3 road win in Airdrie on Friday, a 6-1 whipping of Coaldale on Oct. 29 and posting a 5-4 overtime win in Banff on Sunday afternoon.

“We haven’t been able to stick back-to-backs together (this season), now we do three (in three days) against some pretty good teams,” beamed Murphy. “Like I’ve been saying, the talent is there, it just had to come together as a team. There were a few things this weekend we did that made things gel. We’re playing some awesome hockey.

“There were a couple of letdowns, but not ones that cost us too badly.”

After allowing the first goal in Friday’s game in Airdrie, the Kings responded with five unanswered goals en route to an 8-3 win over the Thunder.

Sam Lonnberg and Austin Fisher each recorded three points in the win, while Jordan Griffiths, Brennan Grasdahl, Parker Georgsen, Mike Samoil, Lucas Ford and Brandon Neufeld each recorded two points in the win.

According to Murphy, it was very satisfying to secure the two points in Airdrie, a place where many teams fail to win.

“The General Manager from Airdrie was saying that it’s the worst they’ve ever been beaten at home in their franchise history,” chuckled Murphy. “So that’s a good thing.”

The Kings followed up their strong performance with an impressive win on home ice the next night.

Aaron Elaschuk had a goal and two assists to lead the way, while Grasdalh recorded a pair of goals in the 6-1 win over the Copperhead.

Tyler Brandon had a goal and an assist, while Ford and Hayden Warrack each lit the lamp for the Kings.

“We had a really good game, we just totally dominated the entire game,” said the coach. “We had the forecheck going really well, there were a lot of shifts where they couldn’t get the puck out of their end.”

The Kings wrapped up the weekend with a sub-par game versus the Banff Bears on Sunday afternoon. Despite not playing their best game, the Kings pulled out a 5-4 win.

Tyler Brandon and Racey Big Snake lead the attack with a goal and an assist, while Fisher and the Elaschuk brothers – Aaron and Evan – each scored once.

“We didn’t come quite as prepared to play as we had the last two games … the guys weren’t mentally ready,” said Murphy. “Their goaltender played extremely well. They’re not quite the doormat that they’ve have been. “

The Kings are now preparing for a pair of home games this weekend. They will host the Banff Bears on Nov. 4 (8 p.m.) and the Stettler Lightning the following night at 8 p.m.