Kings regular season comes down to the wire

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Only four regular season games remain prior to the start of the HJHL playoffs for the Agra Risk Wheatland Kings.

The local Junior B team is in the midst of a franchise record season, sitting second in the Southern Division at 51 points with a 25-8-1 record. 

Commanding first position are the Okotoks Bisons at 55 points and snapping at the heels of the Kings are the Medicine Hat Cubs at 50 points. 

Doug Raycroft, head coach of the Wheatland Kings, said with eight league points still on the table up for grabs, he is hoping to get at least six of them, which would require winning three of the remaining four games. 

“We basically have the same record (as Medicine Hat), so it is important to get that second place so we can have home ice advantage. In the last four games here, we play Medicine Hat once, so that is going to be a big game for us,” he said. “On Friday (Jan. 31), we go to Okotoks, so that is going to be a tough one … we have beat them a couple of times and it is always a good feeling. We have a good idea of how to beat them, it is just they are a very good team so you have to be on your best game and stay out of the penalty box.”

Raycroft explained the ongoing plan for the Kings is to continue developing their defensive game, looking to improve on their own end of the ice. 

Squaring off against their closer rivals, there is a necessity to give out as few opportunities to score as possible to teams such as Okotoks and Medicine Hat who are sure to capitalize on them. 

To date, the majority of the Kings roster is back on the ice – however, there remains a few instances of being off due to flu or injury. 

“I would have preferred to have more games where we had everybody back for sure, but there is no time to be nervous. Hockey is a game that is very fast so you have to be able to react,” said Raycroft. “We are just going to play the best team we have and we will hopefully be ready for any team we play.”

Regarding his lines, Raycroft added he has a good idea who on his roster plays better together; however, one of his goals is to balance the shifts and not overplay any one player during a given game. 

Following the Jan. 31 road game against Okotoks, the Kings return home to host the Airdrie Thunder Feb. 1. Game time is set for 8 p.m.