Kings looking to reclaim top league position

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Agra Risk Wheatland Kings are making a steady climb back to the top of the leaderboard, coming off of a one-win, one-loss weekend.

The Kings were defeated by the Okotoks Bisons 4-1 at the Murray Piper Arena on Oct. 17, followed by taking down the Medicine Hat Cobs 6-3 at the Kinplex Arena the following day.

“We are pretty happy with where we are. We still have a lot of work to do … we are 7-3, so we are pretty happy,” said Doug Raycroft, head coach of the Wheatland Kings. “We’re basically tied for first (in the South Division). Coaldale has one point on us, but we have got a game in hand. It’s still pretty early, but … we’re only going to get better as far as we can see.”

The Kings currently stand with 14 league points after 10 games played. The Coaldale Copperheads, with 11 games played, currently hold 15 points. 

Raycroft added he was not thrilled with his team’s performance on the Friday game against Okotoks, but it did serve as a learning experience which can be immediately capitalized on.

“It was kind of a game of missed opportunities. We couldn’t really score. We had lots of power play opportunities, we just couldn’t capitalize, and then there was another part of the game where we got into some penalty trouble and they took advantage of it,” he said. “It was 2-1 right until the end and then we pulled our goalie, and it ended up being 4-1. Their goaltender really stood on his head I think and kept them in the game, but that’s hockey. Sometimes that happens for you and sometimes it happens against you.”

Going against Medicine Hat, Raycroft said it also came down to a very back-and-forth game, with the Kings able to take advantage of some opportune giveaways in the third period. 

He explained they scored a shorthanded goal, as well as a powerplay goal to spring ahead before taking the win.

“Going forward, the big thing for us is we are still pretty inconsistent defensively. We want to improve a lot defensively and give up less opportunities for other teams. We are going to be working on that a lot,” he said. “Another thing for us is to just make sure we are always playing the same way. Right now, we are hit or miss whether we come out the way we want to play or not. When we come out the way we want to play, we are one of the best teams in the league, for sure.”

In a unique turn of the schedule, the Kings will be squaring off against Okotoks and Medicine Hat, respectively, again, on Oct. 24-25. 

The Bisons will be coming to Strathmore, then the Kings will once again travel to Medicine Hat the following day.