Tough weekend for Kings

By Mario Prusina, Times Editor

Even though the results would make any coach cringe – being outscored 13-2 in a pair of games – there are plenty of lessons the Wheatland Kings can learn according to their new head coach.
After a 7-2 road loss to Coaldale on Dec. 7, the Kings returned to the Strathmore Family Centre to face the top team in the league the following night, falling 6-0 to the Okotoks Oilers and their 24-1-0 record.
According to head coach Ron West, despite the pair of losses, it was enlightening to see how the top teams in the league compete, particularly Okotoks.
“It was a tough weekend – two of the best teams in (the league) – bar none and you just have to deal with it,” said West. “Now we’ve seen Okotoks – they are the best and you can tell. Bottom line is defence. They are very good at their defence – it’s 6-0 for a reason. And it’s 6-0 because how good they play on D. Their breakouts are excellent, their O zone is excellent, but their defence is absolutely perfect.
“We have to learn to be better in our D zone, right? We just witnessed how hard it is. When a defensive team plays good, then it’s no problem. It’s up to us to play the same way.”
According to West, who took over the reins of the Kings two weeks ago after the release of former coach Joel Robinson, the Oilers are by far the best team in the league and arguably the best Junior B team in the nation.
However, with their tough weekend behind them, the Kings are now preparing for a pair of home games this weekend at the Strathmore Family Centre. The team will host the Lomond Lakers on Dec. 14 (8 p.m.), before tangling with another top team in Airdrie the following day at 4:45 p.m.
“We have to work hard and our goal is to get four points next week,” said West. “(Our boys) don’t quit. The battle is there, the commitment is there; it’s just a matter of now getting the systems in place that have been lacking. It’s time to get them there.”