Warriors big league experience

Times Editor  

 

The Wheatland Warriors had the experience of a lifetime when they hosted the Airdrie Lightning on Nov. 2 at the Strathmore Family Centre.

By winning a bid during a radio fundraiser, the local double-A bantam team had the game recorded by Calgary Flames video personnel, play-by-play for the DVD was provided by Hall-of-Fame broadcaster Peter Maher, and even Harvey the Hound made a visit to Strathmore for the game.

The special evening was capped off in perfect style, with the 2-1 win over the Lightning, extending the Warriors undefeated streak to nine games.

“I think it was a good experience for them – to hear from (former NHL player and Stanley Cup winner) Colin Patterson really pumped them up,” said Warriors head coach Paden Grant. “It was a great experience for them and I’m glad we got to do it. Getting the W makes it all that much better.

“All that stuff before the (game) was great and stuff, but more importantly, this was a big, big game in our division. Airdrie is a top team and if we want to be a top team, we have to win games like this. It was good to see the effort out of the kids.”

Despite falling 1-0 early in the game, the Warriors tied the game when Kody Hammond converted a feed from Chris Rebeyka and Regan Kinley.

With just 1:22 left in the period, Kinley scored a beautiful, hardworking shorthanded goal, which was the game winner. 

The Warriors tightened up their defensive game, especially in the third period, to preserve the win.

“That third period was huge,” said Grant. “We had a little bit of a slow start off right off the bat – I think the kids were nervous and maybe a little distracted. But in the third period they came out with an effort and we controlled the play in the third period. Airdrie couldn’t get anything generated, we established a forecheck, everybody was working hard, our feet were moving. That’s how we’re effective, that’s our game.”

The Warriors extended their undefeated streak to 10 games the following day, when they earned a 1-1 draw with the Okotoks Oilers in Hussar. 

After two scoreless periods, the Oilers opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal with 12:17 left in the game. However, just 1:03 later, Rob Finkbeiner scored a power play goal to even the game, when he converted a feed from Andrew Bretin.

The Warriors will now travel to Taber to take on the Golden Suns on Nov. 9, before returning home to host the Lacombe Rockets the following day in Hussar at 3 p.m. 

Braves finally fall

After starting the season with a nine game winning streak, the Wheatland Braves finally lost a game. 

The local double-A peewee team fell 4-3 to the Bow Valley Braves on Nov. 3, after allowing the game winner with just 10 seconds left in the game. Wheatland then responded with an 8-2 pounding of Lacombe the following day at the Strathmore Family Centre. 

Next up for the Braves is a home date with the Cranbrook Ice Nov. 9 (7:30 p.m.) in Hussar.

Chiefs falter

The Wheatland Chiefs fell to 5-6-1 after a pair of losses this past weekend. The local double-A midget team fell 2-0 on the road to the Badlands Longhorns on Nov. 3, before losing 5-4 the following day to Airdrie at the Strathmore Family Centre. 

The Chiefs will now host the CRAA Blue on Nov. 9 (7:30 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre (blue ice).