Wheatland Braves off to the finals

Times Editor    

 

Despite not playing to their potential, the Wheatland Braves are off to the SCAHL Championship to play their archrival.

The local double-A peewee team defeated the Bow Valley Timberwolves two games to none to take the North Conference Championship.

While the Braves claimed a 5-2 win in Game 1 March 8 in Hussar and a 5-4 double overtime win in Game 2 on March 10 in Cochrane, they did so without playing their best hockey.

“I just think that (our) guys are tired,” Braves head coach Keith Klemmensen. “Realistically we haven’t been the same since Regina (tournament) in my view. We played some weaker sisters in the league (to end the regular season) and I think we lost what we needed to have against the better teams. We’re going to have to find our way to play against good teams.”

Despite not being up to Klemmensen’s standards, the Braves played well on home ice in Hussar to post a Game 1 win.

Malik Kaddoura led the offence with two goals and an assist, while Joel Krahenbil, Cole Clayton and Kale Clouston each scored once. 

“It’s always important to win at home, it’s always important to get the first win too,” said Klemmensen. “Realistically, you want to have as much momentum going your way (heading into) their building. The boys are better off (with the lead) – there is no sense of panic or imminent demise. It is so much easier playing in the second game and it’s a good thing we got that first win.”

Game 2 seemed to be three different contests wrapped into one. The Braves fell 2-0 before reeling off four unanswered goals. Despite the lead, the Braves dropped two more in the third period, before eventually winning in double overtime.

Joel Krahenbil and Brady Skiffington each scored twice in the win, while Reinhardt also scored for the Braves.

“You never want to let it get down to a one-game situation,” said the coach. “It was huge that we got that done (in Game 2) because … (you never know) what can happen in Game 3.”

Now the top two teams during the regular season and the post season will square off in the league finals. The Okotoks Oilers, who finished the regular season with a 33-1-2 record will host the 32-3-1 Braves in the best-of-five championship series.

Games 1 & 2 are in Okotoks March 14 & 16 respectively, while the series shifts to Strathmore for Game 3 on March 17 (4:30 p.m.). The Braves will then take part in the provincial championship tournament March 21-24, before resuming the series March 26 (time TBD) for Game 4 in Strathmore. Game 5, if necessary, will take place in Okotoks.

“We have to make sure we are playing fundamentally solid and working the whole 200 feet of the ice,” said Klemmensen. “At the end of the day, I’m confident that the boys will give their best effort all over the ice all game long. I think we can certainly compete with them and have a shot at beating them. In all honesty, I think it’s two real even teams.”