Braves win heavyweight tilt

Times Editor

 

The Wheatland Braves are one step closer to showing they are the elite team in the South Central Alberta Hockey League peewee division.

The high-octane double-A team improved to 8-0 on the season, after defeating the Red Deer TBS 11-4 on Oct. 19 and the previously unbeaten Lethbridge Giants 2-0 Oct. 21 at the Strathmore Family Centre.

Entering the weekend, the Braves and Giants were two of four unbeaten teams, which also included the Bow Valley Timberwolves and the Okotoks Oilers.

After earning wins against some weaker opponents, the Braves responded with a gutty victory over a quality opponent.

“That was a good team we beat (on Sunday),” said Braves head coach Keith Klemmensen. “They’re a well-coached team and probably the hardest-working team we’ve played against this year, I think. That was an excellent measuring stick, but there are two (other elite) teams and we’ll see how that goes down the line.

“I’ll tell you what, we both went into that game 7-0 and I think anybody could see that both teams had the ability to work hard – we’re a little older team and a little bigger team and we just had a little more finish (on that given day).”

Despite being one of three unbeaten teams, Klemmensen emphasizes that are a number of things the Braves need to work on in order to be successful.

“We need to learn to play within our system, with more consistency and trust each other a little more,” said the coach. “I see signs that we’re trying to do things by ourselves more often than I would like. 

“I’m more concerned that we play 60 minutes of good, solid Braves hockey – which means they’re using the whole rink and we’re making the (opposition) earn their opportunities by coming 200 feet (down the rink). I think when we do that, we’ll be successful.”

The Braves are now gearing up to host the Red Deer Parkland Oct. 27 (6 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre. The next big test for the team will be Nov. 3, when they travel to Cochrane to face the unbeaten Bow Valley Timberwolves.

 

Earning a point

The Wheatland Warriors improved to 5-3-1 on the season, after earning a 3-3 draw versus Cranbrook on Oct. 21.

The local double-A bantam team is preparing to host the Medicine Hat Venom on Oct. 26 (7:30 p.m.) in Hussar, before traveling to Lacombe the following day.

 

Tough weekend

It was a difficult weekend for the Wheatland Chiefs, who collected two of a possible six points this past weekend.

The local double-A midget team lost 3-1 to the Okotoks Oilers and 4-2 to the Lacombe Rockets, before earning a 5-1 win over the Innisfail Flyers on Oct. 21. 

The Chiefs will now play a pair of home games Oct. 26 (7:30 p.m.) against the NWCAA Bruins and Oct. 28 (7 p.m.) against the Medicine Hat Venom.