Braves have no trouble scoring
By Brady Grove, Times Reporter
The Wheatland Braves scored 16 goals over two games last weekend. First, the Braves crushed the Foothills Bisons 10-3 on Jan. 11 at Hussar, then lost a close battle 7-6 against the Lethbridge Hurricanes Red on Jan. 12 in Lethbridge.
The Braves and Bisons appeared evenly matched in the first period with each team scoring three goals. That was the closest the game would be as the Braves scored five more goals in the second and added two more in the third. Luc Trevors and Kyle McDonough had four points each to lead the Braves on the score sheet, while forward Trip Jensen had three points and Wyatt Yule potted two goals. Braves goalie Houston Langen made 29 saves in the contest.
The offense continued into the next game as the Hurricanes and Braves traded goals in the opening period. The Braves scored two quick goals to open the second but the Hurricanes battled back to tie it at three. The third period was a score-fest as the Braves took a 5-4 lead in the first five minutes. It was quiet until the Hurricanes tied it up with just under six minutes to go. The two teams would each score again before a heartbreaking Hurricanes goal would find the back of the net with six seconds remaining in the game.
Trevors and McDonough again led the Braves in scoring with seven other players each getting a point. Braves goalie Connor White made 23 saves in the loss.
The local double-A peewee team has a record of 11-7-3 and hold fifth place in the South Conference but only trail the fourth place Okotoks Oilers Green by three points.
Revenge will be on the minds of the Braves players as they get a rematch against the Hurricanes Red on Jan. 18 in Lethbridge. The Braves will return home to face off against the Lethbridge Hurricanes White on Jan. 19 at 4:45 p.m.
Warriors down Tigers
The Wheatland Warriors strong season continued with another victory, this time beating the West Central Tigers 4-1 on Jan. 13 in Eckville. With the win, the Warriors have extended their winning streak to 16 games.
The Tigers and Warriors were even at 12 shots each in the first period of play but Warriors forward Joshua Alberda scored early to give his team the lead. In the second period, the Warriors controlled the play and only allowed one shot against. Philip Raycroft and Ryder Many Grey Horses each scored to push the Warriors into a comfortable 3-0 lead.
The Tigers struck quickly on the power play to open the third period, but Warriors defenseman Adam Moore responded about a minute later. The Warriors outshot their opposition by 17 with Matthew Dovichak stopping 22 shots for the win.
The local double-A bantam team is in first place in the league with a 19-2-1 record. The Warriors are up next against the Central Alberta Selects on Jan. 18 in Hussar.
Chiefs gaining ground
The Wheatland Chiefs won their third straight game by defeating the CNHA Blazers 2-1 on Jan. 9 at the Max Bell Centre in Calgary. The local double-A midget team has now won five of their last six games and improved their record to 10-10-2.
Chiefs forward Ben Kruse scored his 13th goal of the year and assisted on Kyle Malmberg’s game-winning goal. Mitch Tessemaker and Chase Clayton also scored assists in the winning effort against the Blazers. Chiefs goalie Drew Dovichak made 22 saves in the tight game to keep his team in it.
The Chiefs sit in fifth place in the South Conference but it is very close in the standings. The Chiefs have three games in hand on the second-place Lethbridge Hurricane Hounds. If the Chiefs win those three games in hand, they would be tied with the Hounds.
The Chiefs have a huge opportunity to gain some ground but face a tough challenge on the road against the first-place Medicine Hat Hounds on Jan. 20.