Kings show improved play
By Mario Prusina, Times Editor
Doug Taylor Photo
The local junior B team defeated High River 3-2 in a shootout on Nov. 16 at the Strathmore Family Centre, before falling 4-2 to the Cochrane Generals the following day at the same venue.
“It was a good 60 minutes of hockey,” said coach Joel Robinson after the game versus Cochrane. “It’s unfortunate that we didn’t get the two points, but I thought it was a good hockey game. You take away those two power play goals, five-on-five it was an even game across the board. It’s good to see us put an effort like that, especially coming after a big win (the night before).
“As a coaching staff we’re happy and we have to build off of it – I know it’s a loss, but you have to build on a big two-game weekend.”
According to Robinson, the two low-scoring, physical games are something the team will have to get comfortable with as they gear up for the playoffs.
“I keep telling the guys that, too – these kind of games against Coaldale and Cochrane, I mean this could be a first round match up for us,” said the coach. “We want to have that intensity, we want the boys to be in a good mindset coming into the playoffs that they already know what kind of hockey to play in.
“Tonight was a perfect example – it was like a playoff hockey game and I think the guys really took to it.”
The Kings opened the weekend with the beautiful retirement ceremony for Kristian Ayoungman prior to their game versus High River. The former Kings player was murdered earlier this year and the team invited his family and friends to take part in the touching tribute.
After the emotional boost from the ceremony, the Kings jumped on the board first.
“It was another playoff style game – back and forth, we went up 2-0 and they scored two unanswered to make it 2-2,” said Robinson. “It was a really good third period, really structured like a playoff game.”
The Kings will now hit the road to take on the High River Flyers on Nov. 22, before returning home on Nov. 24 (4:45 p.m.) to host Cochrane.