Kings clinch home ice

Posted on: jamacsadmin

Mario Prusina  
Times Editor 
 
The Wheatland Kings clinched home ice advantage in the South Survivor Series playoff after a dominant 5-0 win over Red Deer on Feb. 9.
The home win, mixed in with a Cochrane Generals loss the next day, gave the Kings home ice in the best-of-three Survivor Series.
Despite playing the top team in the North Division, the Kings came out with one of their best performances of the season en route to the win over the Vipers.
According to Kings bench boss Doug Murphy, it was also one of the most satisfying wins of the season.
“I think so, we’re still running a really short bench – we had to affiliate players in the lineup, running three lines, the guys just absolutely stepped up,” said Murphy. “We’re getting great efforts all the way around.”
The Kings, who are going through personnel issues and injuries, were once again led by their top line. Andrew Bergmann scored twice and Ross Fox added a goal and two helpers to pace the Kings offence. Austin Fisher and Chris Reed also scored for the Kings, while Sam Lonnberg added two assists. Goaltender Richie Hubbell was outstanding, making 43 saves for the shutout.
“I think Red Deer came in taking us lightly … they didn’t come out with a good warm up, so we caught them a little cold,” assessed Murphy. “Fox, Bergmann and Lonnberg were on fire and the other guys stepped up as well and contributing.
“Richie Hubbell was absolutely (unreal). This is his third season (with us) and that was the best game – bar none – that he’s played for us.”
The Kings are now preparing to play a pair of statement games to close out the regular season. The team will travel to Cochrane on Feb. 15 before returning to face Medicine Hat the following day at the Strathmore Family Centre (8 p.m.).
The fourth-ranked Kings will face the fifth-ranked Cochrane Generals in the Survivor Series beginning on Feb. 20 (8 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre. Game 2 is in Cochrane on Feb. 22 and Game 3, if necessary, is slated for Feb. 23 (8 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre. The winner of the series will face the top-ranked Okotoks Bisons beginning on Feb. 24, while Coaldale and Medicine Hat will face off in the other South playoff series.