Wheatland teams have undefeated weekends

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The Wheatland double-A teams all showed hard work, determination and physical play during what was an undefeated weekend for the teams.
The Wheatland Chiefs were able to edge the NWCAA Bruins 3-1 on Oct. 24 at the Strathmore Family Centre.
“I thought first two periods we really controlled. We hit two posts and two luckier goals (with) bounces off legs but we also beat them cleanly on a couple that hit the post,” said head coach Devin Olson.
“The third period was a little closer both ways, it kind of got feisty, which was good. They came out in the third ready to play and our guy matched it.
Olson felt as though his team still needs work – not doing too much on the ice and sticking to the basics.
“Guys are trying to do too much through the neutral zone. I noticed we were dumping the puck in and going and getting it and against a not real big team like this you could dump it in and get some bodies on it,” said Olson of his midget squad.
Jayden Smith, Cole Bussingler and Jason Hobson scored for the Chiefs.
Their next game is Oct. 29 versus CBHA Rangers in Calgary at 7:15 p.m. and then again Oct. 31 versus the Lethbridge Hurricanes (7:30 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre.
Keith Klemmensen has nothing but praise for his peewee Braves squad as they have been scoring goals and working hard to get the wins.
The hard work is starting to pay dividends this weekend as they thumped the Badlands Longhorns 11-1 on Oct. 24 and beat Bow Valley 9-0 on Oct. 26.
“I would say our work ethic is starting to be built and it’s more established on a more consistent basis all the time and they’re getting results,” said Klemmensen.
“(Against Bow Valley) was an example where they worked reasonably hard and kept with it and finally pucks started to go in the net.”
Klemmensen was really impressed from what he saw from his returning players.
“The three returning players, they all play center, they’re outstanding, work hard. I got couple of first year guys that are starting to produce, they’re getting the idea about the work and consistency needed and getting rewards from that,” said Klemmensen.
Goal production came from Kyle Crnkovic with five goals, Kage Yellowfly, Ethan McKibbin, Mo Hakim, Nolan Bailey, Max Kathol and Tristan Zandee against the Longhorns.
Versus Bow Valley, Adam Kirkpatrick had three goals, while Kyle Bray, Hakim, Zandee, Bailey, Crnkovic and Brayden Kapty all found the back of the net in the shutout.
Braves next game is in Red Deer on Nov. 2.
Meanwhile, the Wheatland Warriors thumped the Cranbrook Knights 8-1 on Oct. 26 at the Strathmore Family Centre and beat Lacombe 5-2 on Oct. 25 in Hussar.
Coach Cody Brown was thrilled with what he saw from his team against Cranbrook.
“It was closest 60 minute effort that we’ve had all year. It was good to see the guys doing what we’ve got on them about since the beginning and it all came together,” said Brown.
The Warriors were able to establish a strong physical presence to produce offence and not allow the Knights much time in the offensive zone.
“We’ve been telling them that all year (to finish checks) and they came out flying tonight,” he said.
The offence came from Conner Bertamini , Jayden Hendricks, Majid Kadourra, Tyler Cardamone and Tyler Skehar against Lacombe.
It was Hassan Akl with the hat trick, Tarun Fizer with two, Cardamone, Tanner Boutin and Jordan Hansen who provided the offence versus Cranbrook.
Next up for the Warriors is Nov. 2 versus Red Deer (1:30) at the Strathmore Family Centre.