Kings thinking ahead to end of season, prepare for imminent playoff run

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Following a loss to the Medicine Hat Cubs, and a decisive win against the High River Flyers, the Agra Risk Wheatland Kings are setting up a game plan for the imminent start to their playoff run.

The Kings were defeated 8-5 by the Cubs, Jan. 17, then immediately bounced back, claiming an 8-0 victory over the Flyers on home ice Jan. 19. 

With a current record of 24-7-1, the Kings are currently seated second in the South Division by a paper-thin margin. 

Currently, the Okotoks Bisons lead the pack at 51 league points. The Kings are seated just behind them at 49, and the Cubs round out third place with 48 points. 

“We went down to Medicine Hat on Friday, it was a pretty big game for us, but we were shorthanded. We were missing about three or four guys who are pretty important for us,” said Doug Raycroft, head coach of the Kings. “We gave up a lot of goals, which, we have been really good at our goals against for most of the year, so that was I think the most goals that  we have given up in a game. It was disappointing.”

Raycroft explained with the league standings seated as they currently are, it is very likely that the Kings will be matched up against the Cubs early in the playoffs.

Despite the commanding victory over the Flyers, Raycroft explained he is relatively unconcerned about the results against the last place team, but rather how the Kings perform against their more threatening opponents.

“When you play a team like Medicine Hat, they have got a couple of really proficient goal scorers so playing good, sound, defensive hockey is the way to beat those teams. When we have had success against them, we have been really strong defensively,” he said. “We are going to work on that and just be ready to go for that first round of playoffs, which is only about three weeks away.”

The Kings roster currently has no players on suspension, however Kobe Gosling, Josh Alberda, and Kyle Provencher have all been away from the ice due to a variety of reasons. Raycroft hopes to see his full roster returned to play by the time playoffs begin.

Leading up to playoffs, Raycroft is aiming to raise the skill floor of his entire team as opposed to shortening his bench and lessening the time some of his players have on the ice. 

“We have got some really strong players and some players who are not quite as strong, so we are working on things so that we do not have to play some of our players too much. It is a lot easier to play a series when you can play everybody instead of just trying to shorten your bench,” he said. “We are just trying to play a team game, work on some of the details so that we can play all four lines as much as possible, and then of course your specialist teams are pretty important so we are going to work on some of that stuff as well.”

Previously, the Wheatland Kings have never progressed beyond the second round of the playoff season. Two years ago, the Kings defeated Coaldale in the first round before being eliminated themselves by Okotoks in the second. 

The Kings are scheduled next to square off against the High River Flyers, Jan. 24, then Sylvan Lake, Jan. 25 for a pair of away games.