Chiefs structure starting to take shape

By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter

Though it might have only been one game last weekend, the defending provincial champs appear to be finding their groove.
The Wheatland Chiefs were back in action Oct. 20 when they hosted the Medicine Hat Hounds in South Central Alberta Hockey League action at the Strathmore Family Centre.
“We thought that last week wasn’t our best effort, especially in the Friday night game,” said Chiefs Head Coach Matt Gass. “We talked about it and we came out tonight and showed if we come out skating hard, we can hang with any team in this league.”
Cole Berg displayed the jets at the end of a penalty kill in the first. He broke up a play at centre ice and bolted for the Hounds zone. On the breakaway, Berg elected to go with the backhand, roofing his first of the season.
The Hounds (3-3-0) tied the game 1:36 into the second on a tic-tac-toe three-on-one, when the Chiefs (5-2-0) responded with three consecutive goals, pulling away once and for all.
Adrian Kusu broke the tie by using Brady Skiffington as a screener, rifling his second past Hounds netminder Aidan Kruger.
Rylan Longmuir netted the winner from Lucas Muenchrath, by beating his defender down the ice, sniping high blocker.
Last year, Chayse Hnatowich, Ryan Bell, Isaac Benoit and Riley Romashenko powered the Chiefs offence with their natural goal-scoring ability. This year’s squad can still put the puck in the net, but they will have to work harder for points.
“Our veteran forwards have really grown up from last year. Last year, they weren’t secondary options, but we had a talented group leading us so we didn’t have to rely on the younger guys so much,” said Gass. “Brady Skiffington is having an unreal season and playing the best hockey I’ve ever seen him play. Longmuir is another guy who’s playing really well, along with Kusu and Muenchrath, who are also having great starts.”
Brian Butland supplied his third goal on the season to close out a second period that was much stronger than the first.
Riley Stovka allowed a rebound goal late that he probably would have liked to have back, but still turned in 28 saves in a solid performance, for his second win.
The Chiefs were in action Oct. 25 in Calgary when they took on the CBHA Rangers (result not available as of press time).
The Chiefs are in Taber Oct. 27 to take on the Golden Suns (3-2-1) at the Taber Community Centre, and will take part in a rematch with the Hounds Oct. 29 at Centennial Regional Arena.

Bantam Warriors
The Wheatland Warriors dropped their second-straight one-goal game last weekend.
After seeing a 2-0 lead slip away the week before, the Warriors found themselves up 3-2 in the third period against the Taber Golden Suns, but ultimately fell 4-3 Oct. 22 at the Strathmore Family Centre.
First period goals from Tate Yule and Spencer Tower, along with Ryder Many Grey Horses’ team-leading fifth snipe 7:41 into the third, gave the Warriors the lead.
It wasn’t enough to hang onto their fourth win, as Carter DeBoer and Nathan Verloop scored three minutes apart in the back half of the third, as the Warriors fell to 3-6-1.
The Warriors will try to correct things on the road Oct. 27 when they take on the Medicine Hat Hounds (3-5-1) at the Moose Recreation Centre. Two days later, the Warriors are in Okotoks to take on the first place Oilers (4-2-2) at Murray Arena. The Warriors will not play in the Family Centre until Nov. 19, when they host the Golden Suns (1-6-1).

Braves sweep
Meanwhile, the peewee Braves are playing their best hockey of the past two seasons.
They swept a weekend set at home, giving them wins in four of their last five games.
They opened the weekend with a clean 4-1 decision over the Red Deer Motors (1-5-0) Oct. 21 at the Family Centre.
After surrendering the opening goal, the Braves poured pucks into the net, with goals coming from Kolten Kuryk, Luc Trevors, Charles Goll and Tyler Fairbairn, as Matthew Dovichak made 21 saves in net.
Keeping things rolling the following afternoon, the Braves doubled up the 2-5-1 Foothills Bisons 4-2 at home.
Fairbairn and Kuryk were in on the scoring once again, as Garin Gosling and Nash Wassing supplied singles. Connor White stopped 25 pucks, for his third win.
The Braves (5-3-0) will look for an identical performance when they head to Blackie Arena for a rematch with the Bisons Oct. 28. They will then return home to host the Taber Golden Suns (0-8-0) Oct. 29 (1:30 p.m.).