Warriors now 18-1

Times Reporter 

 

With an impressive 48 shots on net, the AA Wheatland bantam Warriors knocked off the Red Deer Steel Kings 7-2 on Dec. 7 at home. Kyle Merkosky had three points (now placing him third in league scoring with 37 points), while Chayse Hnatowich and Robert Butterwick scored two goals each.

“We’re pushing for the kids to shoot when they get an opportunity to shoot,” said Warriors’ coach Mark Laycock, especially for rebounds. “I know sometimes we try to get too cute, trying to make the best plays to make a goal or whatever, but I think we’re stressing to shoot from everywhere. The only way you’re going to get goals is if you get pucks on the net.”

The following night, the Warriors defeated another Red Deer team, the Red Deer Ramada, by a score of 6-2. Though Red Deer opened the scoring, the Warriors powered back with three goals in the first, and three goals in the second. Zach Suntjens had two assists, and Kaleb Jardine added a goal and a helper.

“We knew at the start of the year that we had a team, where if you put anybody on the ice, we could score,” Laycock said of his well-rounded offense. “I think in some cases, guys have been stagnant so far this year with getting opportunities and but not scoring. Lately, they’ve been going in for them. I think they should be rewarded more, but I just have to preach to them to keep getting chances, and it’ll come.”

The Warriors have their next game in Taber on Dec. 14. They currently are first in the league, with an 18-1 record.

Chiefs Update

The Wheatland midget Chiefs shut out the Medicine Hat Venom away on Dec. 7, by a score of 7-0, but returned home the next night to lose to the Sylvan Lake Lakers, 4-2.

The Chiefs managed 50 shots on net against Medicine Hat, while the Venom managed roughly half of that total. Thomas Reinhardt and Jayden Smith scored a goal and three assists each; teammate Mckay Bray had a three-point night, and Cody Willis added two assists.

Against the Lakers, the score was tied after the first period. Sylvan Lake then scored three powerplay markers in the second. Willis had the team’s two lone goals, placing him fifth in league scoring with 29 points in 15 games. 

Emotions ran high as Blair Roszell was sent out for a game misconduct after a contact-to-the-head penalty, and has been suspended for one game. Grady Strath was also released from the game for another contact-to-the-head major. The Chiefs’ next game is against Sylvan Lake on Dec. 13.

Braves Break

The Wheatland Braves rested this week but return to action at home on Dec. 15 against the Lethbridge Red Hurricanes.