Kings ‘Muenching’ the competition
Mario Prusina
Times Editor
Despite missing some key offensive weapons, the Wheatland Kings had no problems filling up the scoresheet against a pair of menacing opponents.
Rookie Rylan Muenchrath led an offensive barrage, scoring six goals and adding an assist, pacing the Kings past the Mountainview Colts 8-1 on Oct. 12 and the High River Flyers 8-5 on Oct. 13 at the Strathmore Family Centre.
“The guys stepped up and battled hard,” said Kings coach Doug Murphy after the home win. “We had seven guys out tonight – two with suspensions from last night – but we have the depth (to overcome injuries) and we certainly have much more talent (than years past). We’ve got a good core of veterans and some extremely talented rookies.
“Chemistry is starting to build and we’ve got some line combinations that are starting to come together.”
Murphy acknowledges that a couple of players returning from Junior-A were “a gift” and helped make the Kings a serious contender as one of the best teams in the league.
Despite playing five of their first eight games on the road, the Kings are second in the South Division with an impressive 5-2-1 record, including 3-0 on home ice.
“It’s coming together – we’ve fared well on the road and now we have to continue that trend at home,” said Murphy. “We have a good test coming up against Medicine Hat and Blackfalds. That should give us a real good indication of where we’re going to be through the rest of the season.”
After losing on the road in Medicine Hat earlier this season, the Kings are preparing for the rubber-match on Oct. 20 (8 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre before hitting the road against the aforementioned Blackfalds Wranglers.
“We’re eight games into the season now and we’re starting to get comfortable with everything,” said Muenchrath, the Strathmore Times Player of the Game against High River. “We’re meshing really good right now and we’re going on the right path. Our chemistry is building, we’re starting to play at both ends of the ice and we’re all having fun. It’s like a big family.”