Chiefs can’t string wins

Times Reporter   

 

Due to the SCAHL All-Star Weekend, the midget Wheatland Chiefs had a lone game this past week on Jan. 17, against the Bow Valley Timberwolves at the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre. The outcome wasn’t as fruitful as hoped for, with a 7-4 loss. At one point, the Chiefs were only behind 4-3 in the second period.

“We’re kind of in a slump right now. We’ve had a pretty bad year with injuries, which is kind of catching up to us. We’ve been playing shorthanded for most of the year,” said Devin Olson, midget coach. “We try to get some bodies back, and every time we do, another one goes out – key injuries too, some fairly key guys.”

Four Chiefs are currently injured, and Olson’s squad has relied on goalie Mike Conrad almost all season in net. 

“He’s been good, he’s been pretty solid all year. He’s been making some pretty good saves lately; we’ve been giving up a lot of shots,” Olson said.

Against Bow Valley, the Chiefs’ goalie faced 39 shots while his teammates managed 28. On Jan. 11, in a 4-1 loss against Red Deer, Conrad faced 55 shots. Still, the goaltender represented Wheatland in the SCAHL All-Star Game, and has a .910 save percentage on the season.

Wheatland had also lost to Bow Valley on Dec. 22, by a closer margin of 2-1. This time around, Coltyn Herman had two assists to add to his team-leading 41 points in 26 games; Blair Roszell had a goal and a helper. Other scorers were Mckay Bray, Daryl Agerskov, and Cody Willis – but it wasn’t enough. Wheatland has only won one of their last five games, and now have a 15-9-2 record. They face Lethbridge at home on Jan. 24.

“I think it’s just something, once we put a couple of wins together, you get a little confidence,” Olson said. “Right now, everybody is gripping their sticks pretty tight – you don’t want to screw up.”

After a break through All-Star Weekend, the bantam Warriors play Medicine Hat in Hussar on Jan. 25, while the peewee Braves face off against the Lacombe Rockets on Jan. 25 as well.