Warriors on hot streak

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The Wheatland Warriors were in high spirits after a 4-1 win over the Bow Valley Timberwolves on Dec. 14 at the Strathmore Family Centre.
Head coach Cody Brown admits that it was a little harder to stay motivated after scoring a bunch of goals early on the Timberwolves.
“We had a bit of a flat start, but it worked out alright in the end because we were still getting things done out there (and) controlling lots of the play,” said Brown. “I thought the third period was good, (we) moved the puck well, had lots of chances. We were kind of in a rut there, throwing pucks off our sticks, but now we’re passing with a purpose.”
The local double-A bantam team made some key penalty kills late in the game, which has been effective all year.
“It’s been pretty good all year, can’t complain on that. It seems like we’re fairly heavy on the penalty minutes, so we get lots of practice which isn’t necessarily a good thing but pretty well every guy out there do a good job of it,” said Brown.
He was fortunate that his team had a complete team effort as the game could have had a different outcome if they did not show up ready to play.
“They’re a good team, if we hadn’t showed up, they could’ve put us in our place. The league is fairly spread out, so when you get up against these good teams you go to show up.”
Hassan Akl, Mitchell Fawcett, Tanner Boutin and Tarun Fizer scored in the win.
On Friday night in Hussar, the Warriors thumped the Medicine Hat Venom 8-0.
“A weaker Medicine Hat team, we showed up still and didn’t drop down to their level and controlled the play all the way through, but we expect that against some of the weaker teams in this league,” said Brown.
Jayden Hendricks led the way with three goals while Tyler Cardomone had two and Fizer, Ryan Conroy and Jase Westgard added one each.
The Warriors will have one more game before the Christmas break, where they will face the Okotoks Oilers (4:15 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre on Dec. 21.

 

 

Braves wingers produce
The Wheatland Braves tied the Lethbridge Hurricanes 5-5 on Dec. 13 in Hussar and won 6-1 over the Okotoks Oilers the following day at the Strathmore Family Centre.
Braves coach Keith Klemmensen watched his forwards have productive weekends and the team had a much-improved trust amongst one another on the ice.
“I saw some real growth out of our wingers this weekend. I thought four of the wingers had their best weekends,” said Klemmensen. “(Tristan) Zandee scored lots of goals, he was better and working, (Nolan) Bailey was working, (Max) Schafer and (Bryce) Benfield, both had their best weekend of the year.”
The local double-A peewee team was noticeably passing the puck better this weekend and making sure it was getting to teammates quickly.
“As long as we’re all on the same page and do the same team things that we’re suppose to do, we can pass the puck and pass it well,” said Klemmensen.
Kyle Crnkovic and Mo Hakim had two apiece while Bryce Benfield and Max Kathol had one each against Okotoks.
Klemmensen says that the players need some work gaining the zone a lot quicker as it cost them a couple goals in the Lethbridge game.
“We actually gave up two goals (Saturday) because we lost pucks at the offensive blue line and we tried to skate through three guys instead of getting it deep and going to get the puck,” said Klemmensen.
Tristan Zandee had the hat trick while Crnkovic had two in the tie against the Hurricanes.
The Braves will finish 2014 on Dec. 20 versus Medicine Hat (6 p.m.) in Hussar.

 

 

Chiefs consistent
The Wheatland Chiefs continued their consistent play as they nestle themselves a top the south division standings with a 16-3-1 record and eight points clear of the second place team.
The local double-A midget team fell 3-0 to CNHA Blazers of Calgary on Dec. 12 on home ice. Then they regrouped and beat the Foothills Bisons 3-1 on Sunday afternoon.
The Bisons opened the scoring at 6:12 of the first period before the Chiefs scored three unanswered goals.
Jason Hobson and Grady Strath scored in the second, while Kody Hammond scored in the third.
The next game for the Chiefs is Dec. 19 versus the Okotoks Oilers (7:30 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre.