Defence improves as Braves win

Tyler Lowey
Times Reporter

 

Wheatland Braves head coach Keith Klemmensen might have received his Christmas gift early, as his team appears to have bought into his hard-working style of play.
The local double-A peewee team (5-13-2) capped off their first winning weekend and slid into sixth place with a 5-2 dusting of the Okotoks Oilers Black (10-2-1) during South Central Alberta Hockey League action Dec. 11 at the Strathmore Family Centre.
The win was their third in four games, and while the goals have been bountiful, Klemmensen loves the effort and detail on the defensive end.
“All the boys paid attention both ways on the ice; we got on the right side of the puck and did the little things right,” said Klemmensen.
The Braves defensive core kept the puck to the outside and limited shots, making Matthew Dovichak’s job in net easy. He recorded 14 saves for his second win.
After first period goals from Philip Raycroft and Josh Alberda, Ryder Many Grey Horses netted the winner on the power play. Alberda blasted one from the point, careened it off the end boards where Many Grey Horses chipped it into the side of the net.
Nearly six minutes later, Cyle Clayton unloaded another bomb from the point, this one on net. Rio Kroeker made the initial save, but Jack Slemp was on the doorstep to pounce on the rebound, stuffing in his fourth on the year five-hole.
Raycroft buried his second of the game when he crashed the net on a rush, jamming home the rebound.
The Braves bounced the 9-4-2 Bow Valley Timberwolves 8-3 Dec. 9 at Hussar Arena.
Raycroft pulled the hat trick and added one assist, while other goals came from Many Grey Horses (1G, 2A), Nolan Mahussier (1G, 1A), Tyler Fairbairn, Cole Whelan and Cole Tweit. Tate Yule chipped in with a pair of assists, with other helpers coming from Clayton, Nolan Bell, Carter Gosling and Slemp.
Rhett Harten made 32 saves in net for his third win.
The Braves don’t play another regular season game until Jan. 6 when they host the Airdrie Lightning White (4-13-2) at Hussar Arena.
In the meantime, the Braves host a tournament at Hussar Arena, beginning Dec. 16, running through Dec. 18.

 

Warriors split a pair
The Wheatland Warriors split a pair of road games over the weekend.
Red Deer Ramada (7-10-3) skated to a 4-1 victory over the Warriors at the Collicut Centre Arena on Dec. 10.
Matthew Quebec scored his second goal in as many games when he buried a power play marker from Austin Kuryk and Mitch Tessemaker at the end of the first period.
Ramada appeared to be too strong for the Warriors (7-11-2) to mount a comeback. They put a bow on the Warriors with a pair of goals in the second period. Corey Ross yielded four goals on 27 shots.
The local double-A bantam team bounced back by doubling the Central Alberta Selects 4-2 Dec. 11 at the Gary Moe Sportsplex. The Selects fall to 12-7-1.
Knotted 2-2 after the second period on power play goals by Cole Walker and Kegan Law, the Warriors took over in the third.
Adam Kirkpatrick assisted on Kage Yellowfly’s winner and picked up the empty net goal with 53 seconds remaining.
Logan Grant, who shutout the Selects a week prior, registered 34 saves for his sixth win.
The Warriors host the Foothills Bisons Dec. 18 (1:30 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre in their last regular season game until the New Year.
The Warriors pick up SCAHL play Jan. 7 in Olds against the Grizzlys (11-5-1).

 

Chiefs continue win streak
The Wheatland Chiefs 10-game winning streak was hanging in the balance late, but was rescued and preserved by the league’s leading sniper as they slighted the 6-10-4 Airdrie Lightning 4-3 Dec. 11 at the Strathmore Family Centre.
Tied at three, Brady Skiffington took the puck down the ice and found Isaac Benoit open, who wired home the winner with 1:41 remaining.
A.J. Kusu netted a short-handed tally in the first and an even-strength goal, while Skiffington supplied a power play marker at the 4:08 mark in the second from Scott Desserre and Benoit.
Riley Stovka made 18 saves.
The local double-A midget team played Dec. 13 at the Pason Centennial Arena against the Okotoks Oilers Green (7-7-3) and Dec. 14 at the Max Bell Centre #2 against CRAA Blue (9-5-3).
Their play at home Dec. 17 when they host the Oilers Green at Hussar Arena and Dec. 18 against the Foothills Bisons (2-17-2) at the Strathmore Family Centre (7 p.m.).