Kings learn valuable lesson
Mario Prusina
Times Editor
Despite losing both games this weekend, the coaching staff of the Wheatland Kings are happy with the way their team competed against a pair of elite teams.
The local junior B team suffered a 3-2 home loss on Oct. 20, before being ousted by the top team in the league, losing 5-4 to the Blackfalds Wranglers the following day.
“It was actually, all-in-all a good weekend,” said Kings head coach Doug Murphy. “Medicine Hat was one of those frustrating games … we had 46 shots and only scored two goals. Their goalie seems to have our number. I don’t know what it is, but he’s a puck magnet. From that viewpoint, it certainly tells us we can play with and beat these guys.”
The next day against Blackfalds, the Kings battled back and forth with the Wranglers, giving up the game-winning goal with under two minutes remaining.
“Blackfalds is clearly the best team in the league … it’s not even close with any of the other teams we’ve come up against,” said the coach.
“The guys played really well and (goaltender) Richie Hubbell was absolutely spectacular … without question the best game he has ever played for us. He had something stupid like 66 shots against and only gave up five, including three while we were shorthanded. He was absolutely lights-out.”
According to Murphy, the Kings learned a valuable lesson over the weekend.
Despite entering the weekend in second place in the South Division, the team found themselves in fourth place when it was all said and done with a 5-4-1 record.
He added that the Kings need to tighten up in the defensive end and limit the shots against.
“There is no question about that,” laughed Murphy. “We definitely have the offence and we certainly have the goaltending, but our defence still needs some work. But right now, we have three of our regular d-men out with injuries, so we’re (hurting).
The Kings will look to get back to their winning ways this weekend when they travel to Stettler on Oct. 26, before returning home to host Three Hills the following day at 8 p.m. at the Strathmore Family Centre.