Youthful Braves give it their all

Times Editor

 

Despite being the lower seed in their first-round playoff series, the Wheatland Braves pushed the Red Deer Parkland to the brink.

After splitting their first two games, a 4-3 road loss on Friday night and an 8-7 overtime win in Hussar the following day, the double-A peewee team was eliminated with a heartbreaking 4-2 loss in Game 3 on Sunday afternoon.

Even though 20 points separated the two teams during the regular season, the Braves proved that once the playoffs start, all previous statistics are tossed out the window.

The Braves went toe-to-toe with Red Deer – impressing both the coaching staff and parents.

“You’re never satisfied when you don’t win the last game, but we are very pleased (with our season),” said Braves head coach Keith Klemmensen. “For whatever reason, we ended up with a young team – they were the best players we saw at the time (of training camp). They really tried hard, they tried to grow up and tried to expand their games.

“They tried to do everything we asked them to and we had some guys come on strong late in the year. 

“There is no reason to be anything but optimistic for the future. They proved to be mentally tough and responsible young athletes – that’s going to bode well for them.”

Matt Halcovic, Tyler Pitrie and Regan Doig each notched a goal in Game 1. Nolan Kent made 20 saves in the game, while Sarah Lecavalier and Riley Romashenko each added an assist in the loss.

“We had a chance to put that puppy away in the second period,” said Klemmensen. “We could have been up 5-2 (early) in the second period. We just couldn’t find the net.”

However, the following day in Hussar, the Braves had no problems finding the back of the net.

After trailing 4-0 at one point in the game, the Braves pulled out the 8-7 overtime victory. The highly entertaining game forced a decisive Game 3.

“That’s a huge win for these guys, they don’t quit,” said the coach after the game. “If there is one thing that they’ve learnt … throughout the year is that the game is 60 minutes long and you get what you earn. I’m really pleased with the effort. I thought they earned it.”

The Braves opened the scoring in Game 3, when Doig converted a pass from Lecavalier 4:57 into the first period. However, Red Deer scored three unanswered goals before Doig notched his second goal of the game, converting a feed from Kody Hammond and Lecavalier. Red Deer capped off the game and the series with a third period goal.

“We started strong and you can see we faded,” said the coach of the decisive game. “At the end, they were trying as hard as they could, but the bigger, stronger legs on the other team in the third period were getting to the spots (on the ice) a little quicker. I’m not disappointed in any of them.”

Despite all the obstacles the team faced throughout the year, Klemmensen was very happy with the Braves season.

“I thought it was outstanding and I can assure you that no one with the organization is disappointed in the effort and the progress the team made – I know that for a fact,” he said. “These guys want to play hockey, they want to do their best and they (want to win) as bad as anyone else. You have to respect players like that.”

 

Warriors advance

The Wheatland Warriors are off to the second round of the postseason, after a 2-1 series win over the Red Deer Steel Kings this past weekend.

Home ice proved to be an advantage for the local double-A bantam team, as they won both home games in Hussar.

The Warriors trailed 1-0 going into the second intermission in Game 1 on Feb. 25. However, early in the third, Matthew Rideout converted a pass from Taylor Donner and McKay Bray. Riley Doiron notched the game winner, before Tyler Sharuga iced the game with an empty net goal en route to the 3-1 win.

In Game 2 the following day, the Kings took a 2-0 lead into the third period, before Jaryd Coccimiglio brought Wheatland to within a goal.

However, the Warriors took full control of Game 3 on Feb. 27, when they jumped out to a 3-0 first period lead, en route to a 4-1 win.

Taylor Donner and William Conley each added a goal and an assist in the win, while Matthew Thomson registered two assists. Matthew Rideout and Shane Fraser also tallied for Wheatland, who will now take on the Okotoks Oilers in the second round of the playoffs.

The Warriors will open Game 1 in Okotoks on March 2 (6:45 p.m.), before returning home on March 5 (5 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre. Game 3, if necessary, is slated for March 7 (6:30 p.m.) back in Okotoks.

 

Chiefs play waiting game

After finishing the season first overall with a 21-7-2 record, the Wheatland Chiefs earned a first round bye in the postseason.

The double-A midget team won all three games this past weekend, defeating Bow Valley 6-3 and 8-4, before besting the Airdrie Lightning 5-3.