Kings win third in a row

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The Wheatland Kings won their third game in a row after a scrappy 5-3 win over the Ponoka Stampeders on Nov. 29 at the Strathmore Family Centre.
The game was a penalty-filled affair, but the Kings were able to keep their composure long enough to hang on for the victory.
“We needed to be the team that dictates the pace and the style of play and it’s tough when the score sheet is full of penalties from both teams. It’s tough to get into a rhythm but I thought that guys are starting to understand their roles and where they fit in,” said head coach Jeremy Blumes. “I think we’ve done a good job putting guys in situations where they’re going to excel. So certain guys are going to kill penalties, play on the power play and for the most part guys played their roles tonight.”
Blumes would like to see more consistency from his players and for them to maintain chemistry with their linemates.
“We need to see more consistency because it’s like we take turns with who’s going to be our two or three best lines, or who is going to be our top one or two top defense pairings. If we just push on a consistent basis I think we’re going to see better results,” said Blumes.
The players are playing to their strengths and it has been paying dividends in their results lately.
“Right now we’re on a three game winning streak and I think we’re understanding what we need to do, and how we played to our strengths. I think we’re a good skating team and we got a lot of skills, it’s just a matter of using that skill on a nightly basis,” said Blumes.
“I was really pleased with the line of Manning-Ogle-Thomson, I thought they played physical and played north, south hockey and did a good job making sure that pucks get out of their zone. You saw them score a goal late in the third period because they stuck with the program.”
Chris Williams opened the scoring at 6:15 of the first while Kirby Ruzesky added a power play marker at 16:14 to make it 2-0 Kings at the end of the opening frame. Brayden Beckley and Curtis Osborne scored in the second while Keenan Ogle rounded out the scoring in the third for the Kings.
The Kings were scheduled to play on Nov. 28 in Cochrane, but poor weather cancelled that game.
Next up for the Wheatland Kings is Dec. 6 in Red Deer against Vipers (8 p.m.) and back at home the following day for their ‘Minor Hockey Day’ versus Three Hills (2 p.m.). The cost per family is only $5 if one member of the family is wearing a minor hockey jersey. There will be games, prize and giveaways during the matinee contest.