Successful season for WAA

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By Mario Prusina, Times Editor

Even though all three teams in the Wheatland Athletic Association (WAA) were eliminated from the South Central Alberta Hockey League (SCAHL) playoffs, it was a successful season to say the least.
Two of the teams made it to the south conference final, and a third played for the league championship. Here is a recap of each team:

Wheatland Braves
The Wheatland Braves hosted the SCAHL South Conference Championship tournament March 5-8 at the Strathmore Family Centre.
After compiling a 26-7-3 regular season record, the local double-A peewee team entered the tournament as the second seed in the South Conference.
The Braves opened the tournament with a 11-2 win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes on March 5, before taking care of the Medicine Hat Orange 3-1 the following morning.
The Braves defeated the Cranbrook Wings 7-1 later that evening, capping the round robin with a perfect 3-0 record.
The team’s success continued in the semifinals, as the Braves took out the Medicine Hat Black 5-3 on March 7.
Much like their battle all season long, the Braves met the Taber Golden Sun in the South Conference tournament final on March 8.
After opening the scoring in the first period, the Braves tied the game early in the second period. Taber would restore their lead, before the Braves tied the score going into the third period. After giving up a goal 3:45 into the third period, the Braves scored twice midway through the period, taking their first lead of the game.
The Golden Suns would score a shorthanded marker to tie the game before an overtime dagger defeated the Braves 5-4.

Wheatland Warriors
After winning the SCAHL South Conference bantam championship on March 1, the Wheatland Warriors took on the top north team in a best of three league championship.
The Warriors, who went 28-9-5 in the regular season and went 5-0 in the South Conference Championship, travelled to Rimbey to take on the West Central Tigers in Game 1 of their championship series on March 6. The Tigers defeated the Braves 5-2.
In Game 2 the following day at the Strathmore Family Centre, the Braves rebounded with a solid 3-2 win, forcing a one game showdown for the league championship and a berth in the provincial championship.
However, despite a valiant effort, the Warriors were defeated 4-0 in Game 3 on March 8.

Wheatland Chiefs
The Wheatland Chiefs entered the South Conference midget championship March 5-8 in Medicine Hat with a 20-14-5 regular season record.
The Chiefs opened the tournament with a 7-3 win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes on March 5, before posting a 4-1 win over the Foothills Bisons the following day.
Despite dropping the final round robin game 4-1 to the Okotoks Oilers, the two teams were slated to meet in the semifinals on March 7.
The Chiefs got their revenge with a 8-0 pounding over the Oilers, setting up a South Conference Championship match with the Medicine Hat Hounds.
Despite an opening goal from Joel Romano in the finals, the Chiefs ultimately fell 3-1 in the championship game.
The Wheatland Athletic Association will gather one last time next month to celebrate a successful season at their annual awards dinner.