Kings honoured to represent Canada

Times Editor

 

The Wheatland Kings were representing Canada on a smaller scale when they hosted the Czech and German U17 National teams Dec. 26-27 at the Strathmore Family Centre.

The two squads were in Calgary to take part in the 2013 World Sport School Challenge and each played an exhibition game against the local junior-b team.

“It was fun,” said Kings head coach Doug Murphy of the games. “We don’t like to lose, but it’s an extremely good experience, a really good learning experience. There were a lot of good teaching points we can take from the games.

“There are a lot of technical points that we’ve been trying to impress on the guys that (they) saw in action. They can see what we’re talking about.”

The Kings opened the pair of games with a 5-1 loss to the Czechs on Boxing Day. Despite allowing three third period goals, the game was much closer than the score indicates. 

“When we were going well, I think we matched their speed,” explained Murphy. “As soon as we started to fade a bit, then we got in trouble. We weren’t getting back, we weren’t picking up our man, the gap control disappeared quickly. They are a very quick, good skating team … I’ve never seen a team that passes like that either.”

According to goaltender Richie Hubbell, who was between the pipes for the first game, it was an experience of a lifetime.

“It was a lot of fun,” smiled the netminder. “Playing an international team was a good experience. They’re fast and skilled and more of a possession team.

“We had our calendars circled since we found out we were playing these exhibition games.”

The Kings closed out the pair of games with a 6-3 loss to Germany on Dec. 27.

“It was another really good game, fast hockey,” said Murphy of the German squad. “The difference is they buried on their chances and we got posts and crossbars. They are highly skilled and you can’t make a mistake. These guys play exceptionally good positional hockey, so they take the middle of the ice away from you, they take the passing lanes.”