Kings ready to roll

Times Editor

 

Even though 19 points separate them, the Wheatland Kings are optimistic in their first-round matchup versus the Okotoks Bisons.

The local junior-B team clinched the fourth and final playoff spot in the South Division, earning a spot in a best-of-five series versus the first-place Bisons.

Despite being the heavy underdog, the Kings feel they can give the Bisons all they can handle.

“We think that we stack up really well against them – they certainly don’t scare us at all,” said Kings head coach Doug Murphy. “I look forward to it as being a really hard-fought series. We think we’ll come out on top.”

However, Murphy cautioned, if the Kings don’t play their best, the Bisons have the potential to make life miserable.

“They move the puck down low really well,” said the coach. “They play, going back to the Gretzky days, where they’ve got someone working from behind the net. They like to do that a lot and slide a guy into the high slot and put the puck to him. If you’re not paying attention, it ends up in the net”

One of the most intriguing matchups of the two squads is the special teams. Going into the final weekend of regular season action, the Kings have scored the fourth most goals on the powerplay, while the Bisons rank fifth. Meanwhile Okotoks is tied for second with the least amount of powerplay goals allowed, while the Kings are ranked fourth.

“They have a very good powerplay,” said Murphy. “On the other side of it though, our powerplay and our penalty kill are top five in the league. (Special teams) are very important. 

“When you get an opportunity on the powerplay, you have to make the most of it. On the other side of that, if you do lose your discipline or have to take a penalty, your penalty kill has to be very good.”

Before they face the Bisons, the Kings have one more regular season contest to be played. Wheatland will host Cochrane on Feb. 20 (2:30 p.m.) at the Siksika Arena. 

The playoffs are slated to start in Okotoks on Feb. 21, before Game 2 is held at the Strathmore Family Centre on Feb. 23 (8:30 p.m.). Game 3 is scheduled for Feb. 25 in Okotoks, while Game 4, if necessary, is Feb. 26 (8 p.m.) at the Family Centre. For the full postseason schedule, please visit www.heritagejuniorb.com.