Bantam Warriors now 9-0

Times Reporter   

 

The Wheatland Warriors had two games with home ice advantage, and it proved to work; they defeated the Taber Golden Suns 6-2 on Oct. 19, and the Airdrie Lightning 4-1 on Oct. 20. The bantams continue to be undefeated, 9-0 on the season.

“We have a very talented team. There are lots of kids on this team that won the peewee championship last year. They know how to win games,” said head coach Mark Laycock. “We struggled so far this year in getting a 60 minute effort, because I think they’re talented enough that with a 40 minute effort, they can get away with it sometimes. Come playoff time, it might be a different story.”

However, Laycock said the first periods this weekend were better than usual.

“It’s just a matter of preparation and being ready for the game, I think we’ve struggled with that. We’re just pushing it through to the kids that we’re there to prepare them,” Laycock said. “But they’re getting to that age where they have to be able to push themselves.”

Against Taber, Lucas Muenchrath led the team with three points, while Rylan Longmuir added two goals. In total, the team had a great offensive effort with 43 shots.

“I think it’s a natural thing for a lot of these kids. Growing up, I think they’ve learned how to play the game the right way. They move the puck well and move their feet well,” Laycock said. “It’s been a little easier on me, because when you know how to move the puck as well as they have, it’s one of those things that’s hard to teach as a coach, but they obviously have a good knack for it.”

Airdrie ruined the Warriors’ shutout with just under five minutes to go in the third period on Oct. 20. Longmuir again had two points; he and teammate Kyle Merkosky are tied for third in the league with 17 points in nine games.

“They’re both playing really well,” Laycock said. “Rylan has used his speed really well this year, and Merkosky is a big body, who when he gets out there, he can use that to his advantage.”

All Warriors have played a strong game in the opposition’s end – the lowest scoring forward has seven points. Wheatland hopes to continue their streak against the Okotoks Oilers on Oct. 27.

Wheatland BRAVES

The peewee Wheatland Braves split their weekend with a 7-1 victory over Red Deer Parkland in Strathmore on Oct. 19, but lost 5-2 to the Sylvan Lake Trilliant Realty Lakers on their turf the next day.

Hassan Akl had three assists in the win, while Eric Sandum added two markers. Tarun Fizer contributed to his team lead in points with a goal and an assist; he has 12 points in nine games.

In the loss to Sylvan Lake, the Braves were only down 2-1 at the end of the first period, but couldn’t handle the Lakers in the second and third. Their record for the season is 3-5-1. They look to improve in Hussar on Oct. 25, against the Bow Valley Timberwolves.

Wheatland Chiefs

The Wheatland Chiefs defeated the Lacombe Rockets at home on Oct. 20 by a score of 5-3, improving their midget record to 5-0. The Chiefs were up 3-0 in the third period, when the Rockets came within one. With five minutes remaining in the game, Wheatland scored two quickly. Lacombe netted one with under a minute left, but the Chiefs hung on. 

A combined 76 penalty minutes were given out to the two teams, which led to three powerplay goals for the Chiefs. Taylor Donner had two goals and one assist, while Cody Willis also had two markers. Coltyn Herman had two helpers on the night, and leads the team with 11 points. 

The Chiefs are home for their next three games, including against the Okotoks Oilers on Oct. 26.