New 1-2 punch for Kings

Times Editor 

 

It may be early in the season, but Wheatland Kings head coach Doug Murphy sees a distinct advantage that his team may have for the new campaign.

With veteran netminder Richie Hubbell in the fold, Wheatland added former Fort McMurray tryout Bryce Halverson to the stable, providing the Kings with a solid 1-2 punch in goal.

The dynamic goaltending duo, which debuted this past weekend, is putting a smile on Murphy’s face.

“Our goaltending is obviously set,” beamed Murphy. “One of the things that you really have to be cautious of is that you don’t end up relying on them (too often, but) we certainly have goaltending that can win games for us – even steal games for us. That’s a real good spot to be in

“As a tandem, I don’t think we’ve seen anything better.”

In his first game with the Kings, Halverson made 46 saves en route to a 3-2 overtime road win over the Medicine Hat Cubs on Sept. 30. 

Parker Georgsen scored the game winner, while Ty Goodeagle added a goal and an assist to lead the Kings. Mark Good scored the other goal for the Kings.

“We got off to a slow start and finally got it going in the third period,” said Murphy of the game. “We played reasonably well – we’re still trying to find chemistry with different guys, but the guys have more confidence (than before), especially in overtime.

“And some of (Halverson’s) saves were ridiculous. He’s 6”3’ and he used every inch of his body to make some of them.”

The following night, at home against the High River Flyers, the Kings burst out to a 2-0 lead before surrendering four straight goals, en route to a 6-4 loss.

“It was like two different games in the first period,” said Murphy of the home game. “The first 10 minutes, the guys were pressuring, forechecking and we had High River closed in their zone and they couldn’t do anything. We took advantage of it and went up 2-0. 

“Then (we) stopped playing the system, things fell apart and we had a real mental lapse at the end of the first period (allowing a late goal).

“We changed goaltenders after the fourth goal, when they went up 4-2. It was no fault to Richie (Hubbell), he had no chance on either the third or fourth goal, but we had to send a message to the other guys that it was time to wake up and not hang the goaltender out to dry.”

The Kings managed to tie the game with a pair of quick goals in the third period, before High River scored with just 1:12 remaining in the game. They iced it into an empty net with five seconds left to earn the win.

Wheatland will now play host to the Cochrane Generals Oct. 8 (8 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre, before traveling to Coaldale Oct. 9 (4 p.m.) to take on the Copperhead.

 

Kings offer scholarship

Three lucky players from the Wheatland Kings are eligible to apply for the new Kevin O’Keefe Memorial Scholarship, which will be awarded later this month.

The scholarship is in honour of Kevin, the father of the Kings’ first captain, Miles O’Keefe.

Kevin fought a courageous battle against Lou Gehrig’s disease before succumbing to the disease in August 2010. The scholarship will honor Kevin’s zest for life, dedication to family and friends and his unrelenting spirit throughout his courageous battle. 

“We’re just putting the application together for the players,” said Murphy. “Over the next couple of weeks, the guys will fill out the application. The coaching staff and the O’Keefe family will look over the application and talk about who we think is deserving.”

The awarding of the scholarships will be based on criteria identified by Kevin, which include financial need, integrity, determination and a positive team attitude. 

The scholarships are available to current Strathmore Wheatland Kings players enrolled in a post-secondary education program, continuing education program or apprenticeship program.

Three $1,000 scholarships will be awarded at the beginning of each season, based on a written request submitted by the players. 

The scholarship will consist of a $500 credit toward the player’s current year’s team registration fees and a $500 cheque to be used towards educational expenses.  Schooling, travel, accommodations and a player’s financial need will be taken into consideration in selecting the recipients of the scholarships.  

The players will be recognized and presented the scholarship by a member of the O’Keefe family at a home game sponsored by Animal Care Centre of Strathmore. Contributors to this award currently include the Animal Care Centre of Strathmore, Grove Contract Operating and Murphy Christie Management.