Braves split

Times Reporter

 

After a tough loss at the hands of the Bow Valley Timberwolves in Cochrane on Nov. 30, the AA Wheatland peewee Braves battled back the next day with a 3-1 victory over the Lethbridge Hurricanes White in Strathmore. The loss to the Timberwolves was largely due to allowing four powerplay goals.

“Our penalty kill was off a little bit,” said Braves’ Coach Keith Klemmensen. “We had especially a lot of trouble that day clearing pucks. Bow Valley is probably the best team in the league. When we have chances to clear the zone, we have to make it work.”

Klemmensen mentioned that as the most penalized team in the North Division, he was surprised that his team’s lack of skill while a man short hadn’t affected them in a game so far this season. Against the Hurricanes, however, the Braves’ man advantage had a positive affect on the game, as two of their three markers came on the powerplay.

“We don’t focus on powerplay at all,” Klemmensen said. “Realistically, at this stage of the season, we just throw out the next for the powerplay. Basically you tell guys to shoot and put pucks at the net.”

The two goals that were scored occurred against the same double minor penalty.

“That’s what happens when you put the puck on the net instead of trying to dipsy-doodle your way in all the time,” Klemmensen said.

Hassan Akl, Kyle Crnkovic, and Cole Berg had two point nights this weekend; Majid Kaddoura had two against both Bow Valley and Lethbridge. Tarun Fizer had three points in the Timberwolves game, and continued his streak with a goal against the Hurricanes – he now has 33 points in 19 games.

Klemmensen noted that both his goalies – Ethan Rycroft and Kenny Holt-Stewart – had excellent games this weekend, both stopping over 40 shots in each game.

“The Hurricanes were a big, strong team that actually got some good quality chances. They had a few powerplays as well. Our goaltender was really good that day – bailed us out,” Klemmensen said of Holt-Stewart. 

As for Rycroft, Klemmensen mentioned that he stops everything you can expect humanly possible.

“Bow Valley would get the puck, and he’d stop three or four. They were scoring goals on the fourth or fifth shot. He played great,” Klemmensen said.

The Braves are 8-9-2 on the season, and play the Lethbridge Hurricanes Red next on Dec. 15. The midget Chiefs battle The Edge School on Dec. 4, and bantam Warriors face off against the Red Deer Steel Kings at home on Dec. 7.