Chiefs split third weekend in a row
By Brady Grove, Times Reporter
The midget AA Wheatland Chiefs have picked up one win and one loss for the third weekend in a row, this time beating the CRAA Gold 5-2 on Dec. 7 in Strathmore and then falling to the West Central Tigers 3-2 on Dec. 9.
The Chiefs were outplayed by the Gold, getting outshot 40-26, but it didn’t matter as the Chiefs were more successful at finding the back of the net. Chiefs Ben Kruse, Nolan Bailey and Braden Tanner each picked up three points, and Jaycob Masciangelo added a goal to help propel the Chiefs into the win column. Drew Dovichak made 24 saves for the Chiefs to get the win.
The Chiefs carried the momentum of their victory right into their next game against the Tigers. Chiefs forward Steve Wilks scored his eighth goal of the year with just under four minutes remaining in the first period. The second period remained close until Bailey scored on the power play from Kruse and Spencer James to give the Chiefs a two-goal lead. The Chiefs were riding high until a late goal with 39 seconds left in the second cut their lead in half.
But the Tigers came ready to play – in the third period they scored two goals in five minutes which would give them the game. It was a low-shooting game considering both teams had nine power plays. Chiefs goalie Landen Brassard made 24 saves in the loss.
The Chiefs now have a 7-10-2 record which puts them in fifth place in the south conference which remains wide open with only five points separating first from fourth. The Chiefs will get a chance to catch up when they play the tied-for-first Okotoks Oilers on Dec. 15 in Okotoks.
Warriors keep on winning
The bantam AA Wheatland Warriors winning streak was extended to 10 games with the Warriors thumping the Foothills Bisons 8-0 in High River on Dec. 9. The immense scoring depth of the Warriors continues to a strong part of their success with 11 different players finding the score sheet.
Warriors forward Cole Grant scored the lone goal in the opening period. The Warriors wasted little time ramping up the scoring in the second as Philip Raycroft scored two goals, both assisted by Caeden Lomenda, in the first five minutes. Nolan Mahussier would add a late goal and give the Warriors a 4-0 lead to end the second period. The Warriors exploded in the third with Eric Castro adding a hat trick and Ryder Many Grey Horses finding the back of the net to end the goal-filled game. Warriors goaltender Matthew Dovichak only had to make 11 saves for the shutout.
The Warriors currently have a 13-2-1 record and sit in first place in the south conference and second in the league to the 15-4-1 Bow Valley Timberwolves.
A double header next weekend against the Medicine Hat Hounds will test the Warriors winning ways. First, they play in Hussar on Dec. 15 (5:45 p.m.), followed by an afternoon match up on Dec. 16 in Strathmore at 1:30 p.m.
Braves down Timberwolves
The peewee AA Wheatland Braves picked up a valuable two points in the standings by beating the Bow Valley Timberwolves 4-3 on Dec. 9 at the Strathmore Family Centre. The Braves have won four of their last five games.
The two teams traded goals in the first period to keep things close. Braves forward Nash Wassing scored his 15th goal of the season just nine seconds into the second period. No one else would be able to light the lamp, giving the Braves the edge heading into the final period of play.
The Braves appeared to be heading to victory until the Timberwolves scored two quick goals in seven seconds to flip the game around. All appeared lost for the Braves until they responded with two quick goals of their own. Braves forward Colton Gabe tied the game up and then Wyatt Yule scored the game-winner a minute later. Braves goalie Connor White had to be sharp and made 23 saves for the hometown team.
The Braves are tied for fourth with a 10-5-2 record in the south conference with the Okotoks Oilers Green, but have three games in hand. The Braves will face the Oilers on Dec. 14 at the Strathmore Family Centre at 7:30 p.m. in an important mid-season divisional matchup.
The Braves will play their last game before going on Christmas break against the Taber Golden Suns on Dec. 15 in Taber.