Agra Risk Wheatland Kings maintain win streak

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Agra Risk Wheatland Kings extended their winning streak to eight games, closing the weekend with a 2-1 victory over the Carstar Okotoks Bisons at the Strathmore Family Centre Arena on Nov. 9. 

By the end of the third period, both teams had one goal apiece, forcing the game into a five-minute overtime. With neither team scoring in the extra time, the game went to a shootout, where the Kings were finally able to close it out. 

Kings Goaltender Rhett Harten anchored his team in the game, taking a total 42 shots on net over the course of the game. The Kings were outshot for the length of the game, managing 15 shots on net in all.

“We are very excited. It was a very close game, lots of back and forth. The guys played solid defensively, Rhett stood on his head, and it was a very gutsy win,” said Ryan Leaper, assistant coach for the Kings. “These guys are a close divisional rival. We just like to be tougher than them and keep our ground and win games.”

The Kings racked up a total of 29 penalty minutes over the course of the game, with 23 of those being taken in the third period alone. Leaper explained against the Bisons, very brawly games are not uncommon.

Despite some disagreeing opinions regarding some of the penalty calls, Leaper said it was ultimately at the referee’s discretion and he was happy to see his team battle through it to come out on top.

“We played a lot of our last game against them on the penalty kill; we did again tonight. We just toughed it out and held our ground,” he said. “We had a little more focus, emphasis on playing solid defensively … and Rhett stood on his head to we have to give him that.”

With 15 games now played, the Wheatland Kings are currently ranked second in the Southern Division.

Prior to squaring off against the Bisons, the Kings took on the Three Hills Thrashers, Nov. 8, also at the Strathmore Family Centre Arena. 

Scoring two goals per period, the Kings closed the game handily with a 6-0 win over the Thrashers. 

“We do not see them too much, but the boys played really good. They were solid in their own end again, really pushing the pace offensively, got a lot of pucks on net and got a few goals out of it,” said Leaper. 

The Kings will now hit the road to face the Coaldale Copperheads on Nov. 16 and the Cochrane Generals on Nov. 23. Their next home game is slated for Nov. 24 when they host the Rocky Rams at 4:30 p.m.