Braves win two, Warriors unbeaten

Times Reporter   

 

At one point during the peewee Wheatland Braves’ game against the Taber Golden Suns on Nov. 2, the score was tied 2-2. Though Taber eventually scored one late in the third, the Braves then exploded with eight goals for the 10-3 win, led by Tarun Fizer’s hat trick (including a goal short handed). Fizer also added an assist, while teammates Ethan Phan and Kyle Crnkovic had three point nights.

“The funny thing is, especially with Fizer, it shows up with goals and assists, but he is really outstanding both ways,” Braves’ Coach Keith Klemmensen said. “I don’t know how many times he’s the first guy up in the far end and he’s the first guy back. He creates so many positive turnovers on the backcheck for our team in the neutral zone. He’s not the only one, don’t get me wrong, but he’s remarkable because he’s that way both ways.”

On Nov. 3, Crnkovic and Fizer traded stats, as Crnkovic scored a hat trick (one short handed as well) and had an assist in the 8-1 victory over Red Deer Parkland. Fizer had three points on the night. Braves’ netminder Kenny Holt-Stewart – who faced 28 shots – had his shutout ruined with under a minute to go.

Klemmensen noted that his two rookies – Crnkovic and forward Kyle Bray – fit right in with the second years.

“The two first year guys are just outstanding, well-rounded players. They were really schooled well,” he said.

Fizer is top twenty in league scoring, with 21 points in 13 games; Crnkovic is not far behind with nine goals and nine assists. The Braves have their next game against Okotoks at home on Nov. 10, and hope to improve their record from 5-7-1.

“We just haven’t been playing as well as we can a lot, but this weekend, not a lot to complain about. They were really moving their feet, really executing a lot of stuff at full speed – nobody had to really slow down at the offensive blue line,” Klemmensen said. “It was really indicative that they’re taking to heart some of the stuff we’re working on in practice.”

 

Wheatland warriors

The bantam Wheatland Warriors continued their strong winning streak this past weekend, with two home shutouts against the Red Deer Steel Kings on Nov. 1 (8-0), and against the Okotoks Oilers on Nov. 3 (4-0). The team is at the top of the South Central Alberta Hockey League, with a 12-0 record and 24 points – the next closest team is eight points behind in the standings.

The Warriors were led on Nov. 1 by Kyle Merkosky’s three point night; teammates Lucas Muenchrath, Rylan Longmuir, Ryan Bell, and Cole Clayton had two points each. In total, the Warriors had four power play goals against Red Deer.

Joel Krahenbil and Chayse Hnatowich had two points each the following game against Okotoks, while Merkosky continued his streak with two points as well. Merkosky is third in league scoring with 23 points in 12 games; Longmuir has 21 points in those 12 games as well.

Wheatland bantam goalie Ty Tarvyd earned shutouts in both games, facing nine and 21 shots. The Warriors have their next game Nov. 8 in Strathmore against the Cranbrook Hornets. 

 

Wheatland Chiefs

The midget Chiefs had the week off and play at home on Nov. 9 against the Red Deer Elks.