Chiefs advance to second round

Times Editor 

 

All three teams in the Wheatland Athletics Association advanced to the second round of the post-season after the Wheatland Chiefs dispatched the Lacombe Rockets 2-0 in the opening round best-of-three series. 

The local double-A midget team rallied from a three-goal deficit in Game 1, winning 4-3 in overtime on Feb. 23, before the eliminating the Rockets with a 4-1 win in Game 2 the following day.

The Chiefs dominated both games, outshooting the Rockets 87-65 in series, en route to the sweep.

“We never really quit – we came out right from the puck drop,” said Chiefs head coach Devin Olson. “Usually first periods have been our weak points – we usually come out slow and pick it up in the second and third. We started (both games) really well.” 

Despite outshooting the Rockets 20-5 in the first period of Game 1, the Chiefs trailed 1-0. The Rockets added a pair of second period power play markers before the Chiefs stormed back to force overtime.

However, in Game 2, the Chiefs built a 4-0 lead with two goals in the first and two goals in the second period en route to the win.

“Being down 3-0 (in Game 1) and coming back, I think it played a big role in the second game too,” said Olson. “We came into the second game with a lot of confidence – if we would have lost 3-0 (in Game 1) or whatever, it would have been a different game. It was really (deflating) for them.”

The Chiefs will now square off against the first place Sylvan Lake Lakers in the best-of-three second round series. Game 1 is slated for Sylvan Lake on March 1, while Game 2 is scheduled for March 3 at the Strathmore Family Centre. 

“They have one pretty strong line that you really have to focus on,” assessed Olson. “If you don’t stop them, they’ll score some goals. We have to be on our game.”

Meanwhile, the Wheatland Braves and Wheatland Warriors are also preparing for the second round of the SCAHL playoffs. Both teams earned a bye in the first round and will each begin their best-of-three series this coming weekend. 

As of press time, the schedules have not been finalized, but the Wheatland Braves will tentatively host Game 1 on March 1 (7:30 p.m.) in Hussar.

Please visit www.scahl.com for an up-to-date version of the schedule or check the Strathmore Times Facebook page for more information.