Kings split weekend set

Times Editor   

 

Small lapses of play have cost the Wheatland Kings another two points, after earning a split in a pair of weekend games.

The local junior-B team defeated the Cochrane Generals 5-1 on Nov. 9 at the Strathmore Family Centre, before falling 5-4 to Three Hills the following day on the road.

Brennan Grasdahl scored twice and Evan Elaschuk added a goal and an assist as the Kings won their ninth game of the season over the Generals.

Parker Georgsen and Ross Fox each picked up a pair of helpers, while Sam Lonnberg and Aaron Durant also tallied for the Kings.

“We had a really good showing on Friday,” said Kings coach Doug Murphy. “Cochrane has been (the cream of the crop) in the league and they still are – it’s a much better hockey team than the score and their (regular season) record shows.

“The guys from Cochrane are some of the really good guys in the league and in talking with them, I think their goaltending is struggling and they’re kind of where we were a couple of years back where you’re having trouble finishing.

“You’re playing well, but the goals just aren’t going for you.”

In the process of the game, Murphy was ejected from the contest and served a one-game suspension the following night in Three Hills.

The Kings jumped out to a 4-3 lead after the first period on the road, before a lapse in play cost them a couple of goals and the win.

From the information that Murphy gathered, the team started the game really well.

“We played a really good first period and we didn’t have a particularly good second period,” said the coach. “We got into taking penalties … got a couple of bad breaks and they scored and went ahead. From what they tell me, we just absolutely dominated (the third period), and with the firepower we got, we just couldn’t finish.”

Ross Fox collected two goals and two assists, while the league’s leading scorer, Andrew Bergmann, registered a goal and two assists. Sam Lonnberg picked up a goal and an assist, while Evan Elaschuk registered two helpers.

The Kings will have a stiff test this weekend, when they travel to High River on Nov. 16 (8 p.m.), before hosting the top-ranked Okotoks Bisons the following day at 8 p.m. at the Strathmore Family Centre.

According to Murphy, this weekend’s games are a good measuring stick for the club.

“There is a strong rivalry there anyway,” said Murphy of Okotoks. “Now the road we have to go through to make it to the finals is (through them).

“This weekend will be a good test for us.”