Kings eliminated from postseason

Posted on: Staff Writer

From edition: March 5 2025 Strathmore Times

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

With their backs against the wall and their season on the line, the Wheatland Kings came up with a big 6-4 win in Game 3 (home dark) of their playoff series versus Medicine Hat on Feb. 26 at the Strathmore Family Centre. However, despite a back-and-forth contest in Game 4 (road whites), the Kings fell 5-3 two nights later and were eliminated from the HJHL playoffs.

Joe Lepage Photo

The Agra Risk Wheatland Kings have been eliminated from HJHL playoffs by the Medicine Hat Cubs after their 5-3 road loss in Game 4 on Feb. 28.

Cole Tweit claimed the first goal of the game in the first period, before Medicine Hat scored three goals in a span of 4:36 in the second period. Josh Alberda pulled the Kings to within one.

Joel Romano tied the game in the third period before the Cubs scored with 2:47 left in the game and sealed it with an empty net goal with 1:05 left.

“We went into Medicine Hat and just like all the other games, it was very close. Every game in the series was close and we just had problems scoring,” said Doug Raycroft, head coach of the Wheatland Kings. “They have … a couple of good players who can really put the puck in the net – it is just a disappointing way to end but during the regular season, all the games against Medicine Hat were one goal games for us or against us.”

Raycroft explained looking back on the series, the Kings took some undesirable penalties and were unable to overcome Medicine Hat’s goaltending. 

Hindsight being 20/20, he added the Kings were really hurt by the loss of some of their best players early in the series due to suspensions.

“Our top scorer was gone for two and a half games and then later on, we lost our best defenseman for a game as well. I think refereeing was a big problem and then a couple of undisciplined penalties were a problem too,” said Raycroft. “For us moving forward, you really have to work with our kids. We did work with our kids; we were much better with penalties this year than we have been in the past – it just seemed to bite us this series and in a couple of games.”

According to Raycroft, it is a bittersweet end to the playoff run, but he is already looking to keep his team busy in the off season and come back ready to make a play for the championship title starting in September.