Chiefs face adversity en route to final

Times Editor

 

After facing two elimination games in the semifinal, the Wheatland Chiefs fought back and earned a berth in the SCAHL Championship Final.

The local double–A midget team defeated Sylvan Lake 4-0 in Game 2 on March 21 at the Strathmore Family Centre, before earning a 4-3 double overtime win on the road in Game 3 the following day, claiming the North Division Championship.

Just a mere three days later, the Chiefs hammered the Lethbridge Hounds 5-1 in Game 1 of the SCAHL Championship Series on March 25 at the Family Centre.

“I think we used the momentum coming out of the last game, which was pretty close,” said Chiefs head coach Devin Olson. “We have to come out a little harder in the first 10 minutes – today we were still sleeping and we were lucky our goaltending has been really good. They helped us stay in the game and helped us catch that second wind, that extra gear, before we get going.”

After losing Game 1 of the semifinal series, the Chiefs have gone 3-0, outscoring their opponents 13-4 in the process.

According to Olson, the adversity of facing a pair of elimination games in the semifinals was a prefect lesson for the boys.

“Losing that first game in Sylvan woke them up,” said the coach. “We had two goals called off (in Game 3), but we battled through it.

“It was a good lesson.”

However, once Game 3 was over, their sights were set on the Lethbridge Hounds. Despite being a .500 team during the regular season, the Hounds have caught fire and have made life miserable for their opponents.

Even after the Chiefs blew out Game 1, Olson warned his team not to take the Hounds lightly.

“They’re a dangerous team,” said Olson. “They are not a big team, but they have a lot of skilled players. All playoffs they have been capitalizing on the (power play), so that is a key thing. We need to limit their chances and stay disciplined.”

After Game 2, which was played on March 28 (result not available as of press time), the series was to shift to Lethbridge, on March 30 and, if necessary, Game 4 on April 1.

According to Olson, the Chiefs must keep it simple in the best-of-five championship series.

“The big thing is, especially with the amount of hockey we’ve been playing, is keeping the shifts short, that is going to be the key,” said Olson. “We’ve been playing a lot of hockey and with overtime and stuff. Winning the first game was really important, but we need to keep it going in Game 2.

“Their goal is the split and we need to prevent that.”

For up-to-date results, visit the league website (www.scahl.com).