Kings take loss as learning lesson

By Mario Prusina Times Editor

After splitting their first four games to start the regular season, the Wheatland Kings knew it would be a tough task taking on the top team in the division.

After coming back from a two goal deficit, the local Junior B team had a tough third period en route to a 5-2 loss to the Okotoks Bisons on Oct. 2 at the Strathmore Family Centre.

In their lone game of the weekend, the Kings fell 2-0 in the first period before mounting a second period comeback, sparked by Kage Yellowfly and Jayden Hendricks. However, the lead was quickly evaporated with three third period goals by the Bisons.

“You know we battled hard, but we just weren’t catching a break – we kept getting bad bounces,” said assistant coach Ryan Leeper. “(However) we need to be tighter defensively. We need to take our chances (on offence) and make them count. We just got to finish.”

According to Leeper, the team can use this game as a valuable learning experience.

“We’ve got to ride the ups and downs less, we’ve got to be more consistent,” said the rookie assistant coach. “We need to play a solid game for 60 minutes every night and we can’t make those stupid mistakes anymore.”

The Kings will now hit the road for a pair of games – one on Oct. 9 in Coaldale and one on Oct. 15 in Vulcan to face the Lomond Lakers.

The teams next home game is Oct. 16 (8 p.m.), when they host the Kainai Junior Braves at the Strathmore Family Centre.