Kings have successful weekend

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

Doug Taylor Photo

 

The Wheatland Kings gained four out of a possible six points to end their home stand, with a lot of bounces going their way, especially in the last two games.
The team started the weekend by peppering Medicine Hat’s goaltender Cole Schafer with 64 shots on Dec. 4, but unfortunately came out with a 4-2 loss.
“We didn’t really create those opportunities,” said Fuoco. “64 shots, maybe 30 of them were quality attempts and maybe 10 of them were legitimate scoring chances. I didn’t think we played as well as we probably should have. We didn’t play as well as we did (Saturday versus Blackfalds).
“I think between the blue lines and the neutral zone we need to play better. If we would’ve shut them down in the neutral zone a little better, we would’ve probably had some momentum. Once we scored one, we scored two and then we had that let down.”
Medicine Hat beat the Kings for the third time this season, and Fuoco thought that the Kings started the game too relaxed.
“The intensity isn’t there,” said Fuoco. “I think that they feel their skill set is better so that the game was easier and no game is easy.”
Tyler Rivest and Lucas Jones scored in the loss.
The mood in the room the following evening was a night-and-day difference compared to Friday, and it showed with a 4-2 win over Blackfalds.
“You knew they were ready to go and they wanted to perform,” said Fuoco. “They wanted to play a better game because they knew the challenge was going to be there. We do tend to play better against better teams.”
He mentioned that the boys were moving the puck a lot quicker with a lot more intensity and purpose.
“If we have the work ethic of all four lines, I don’t think we’ll ever have a problem playing 60 minutes,” said Fuoco.
Kyle Dunville, Zach Meadows, Blake Bishop and Kaleb Robinson scored in the win.
The Kings ended off the weekend by edging the Three Hills Thrashers 5-4 on Dec. 6.
Jones, Jacen Bracko, Chris Williams, Jayden Smith and Kristian Ayoungman scored in the win.
The team will hit the road in Didsbury on Dec. 11 to face the Mountainview Colts at 8 p.m., while their next home game will be Dec. 19 versus Coaldale before the Christmas break.