Injuries haunt Kings

Times Editor 

 

After playing one of their best games of the season, the Wheatland Kings followed up with one of their worst the next day.

The local junior B team defeated the Airdrie Lightning 3-1 on Nov. 24 at the Strathmore Family Centre, before suffering a humiliating 10-7 loss the following day to the Banff Bears.

Despite facing a pile of injuries and suspension, the Kings played down to the Bears level according to head coach Doug Murphy.

“Honestly, we got outworked,” said the coach. “Pretty much everyone in the league takes Banff lightly … except they don’t take themselves lightly. We didn’t put in an effort we should have and when you score seven goals, you should pretty much win any game. But when you’re losing races to the puck and getting outworked all around the rink, that’s what happens.

“They played hard and we thought we only had to show up to get two points.”

Despite taking a 2-1 lead, the Bears scored a pair of goals to end the first period up by one. The Kings scored two goals in the middle frame, before the Bears scored three power play goals late in the second period.

The Kings managed to tie the game 6-6 early in the third, but the Bears put up another four goals en route to the win.

According to Murphy, discipline became an issue for the Kings.

“It’s a hockey academy and they practice all day, for hours on end,” said the Murphy. “One of the things they practice a whole lot is the power play. They go four for five on the power play – you got to know what the results are going to be.”

According to Murphy, the Kings were missing eight regulars out of the lineup due to injury or suspension over the weekend. However, that didn’t seem to stop them against Airdrie, where they played a complete game and goaltender Richie Hubbell stood on his head, making 43 saves.

“Saturday was one of the better efforts we’ve (shown this season),” said Murphy. “The guys played well and they played hard – Richie Hubbell was an absolute standout. He was phenomenal and he stole the game for us. 

“We know what Airdrie does – they get into your face and they want to drag you into old-time hockey and get the parade to the penalty box going. We stayed out of that and we (maintained) our discipline. 

“We played really well.”

The Kings will look to return to their winning ways this weekend when they travel to Cochrane (Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m.) to take on the Generals, before returning home to host the Coaldale Copperheads on Dec. 1 (8 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre.

The team is also in discussion with Hockey Canada, which would see the Kings host the Czech National U18 hockey team for an exhibition game on Boxing Day and possibly the U18 German National team the following day. Murphy hopes to receive confirmation of the games later this week.