Kings back on track

Times Editor   

 

Entering the weekend with one victory in their last four contests, the Wheatland Kings got back to their winning ways to start the month of November.

The local Junior B team defeated the Mountainview Colts 9-4 on Nov. 3 at the Strathmore Family Centre, before posting a 7-4 win over the Banff Bears the following day on the road.

After scoring first, the Kings allowed three first period goals, before tying the game with a pair of second period tallies. However, in the third, the explosive Kings scored six goals after the Colts were more interested in the extra curricular activities, rather than playing hockey.

“Pretty much as long as we’ve been in the league, they can’t play hockey, so they wanna rough it up,” said Kings head coach Doug Murphy of the Colts. “I don’t think we’ve ever gone that route (in the past), we’ve tried to stick to playing hockey (when we were not as talented). Sometimes we’ve taken it on the chin, but (we never played like goons).

“We needed this win to get turned around, get away from the one goal losses and get back on track – like we’ve said, we have the firepower this year to get some results.”

Rylan Muenchrath scored twice and added an assist, Ross Fox scored twice and Andrew Bergmann and Evan Elaschuk each scored a goal and two assists to lead the way for the Kings. Aaron Durant and Chris Reed each added a goal and an assist, while Parker Georgsen added a goal and Sam Lonnberg collect three assists.

“It’s unreal – we have four good lines, even our defence can contribute,” said Bergmann, who was named the Strathmore Times Player of the Game and the HJHL Player of the Month. “It’s really good to have. Our offence is definitely our strong point – if we get the puck out of our zone, it’s hard to stop us.”

The Kings then continued their solid weekend with a 7-4 win over the lowly Banff Bears on Sunday afternoon.

According to Murphy, when the team rolls out four lines, they are much more effective as a team.

“We just run in waves – each line is a little different, it has a different (identity),” said Murphy. “We have one line that is just stupid speed, then we have Fox, Bergmann and Lonny, they do their thing. Then we have ‘Muench’ and his line and they’re as good as most in the league any given night.”

The Kings will now prepare to host the Cochrane Generals on Nov. 9 (8 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre, before traveling to Three Hills the following day (8 p.m.).