Kings ousted in Game 7

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The Wheatland Kings laid it all on the line in Game 7 of the South Division semifinal series against the Coaldale Copperheads, but fell 6-4 in a hard-fought game on Feb. 28.
The boys were able to battle back from a 3-0 early deficit to tie it at three but ultimately could not find the answer the rest of the game.
“We were able to battle back to tie it after one. There were just a couple of bad bounces where we gave up an odd man rush, the puck skipped and they capitalized,” said Blumes. “The way the game was being played, I thought it was going to be a 4-3 hockey game. It was that tight and their top line was able to get that go-ahead goal and the fifth goal was a shot from the point with some traffic in front where we didn’t do a very good job of boxing out in front of our net.”
The third period proved to put a dagger in the Kings chances of coming back as they could not generate chances.
“In the third period of playoff hockey, it’s tough to come back from a two goal deficit, never mind a three goal deficit,” said Blumes. “They played a textbook, protect the lead, third period.”
He admits the team was a little worse for wear after playing a lot of hockey in a short period of time.
“We had a lot of guys playing through bumps and bruises. It was our ninth game in 15 days and this playoff round, other than Game 1, each game was on a back-to-back,” said Blumes.
“Obviously it’s the same for both teams but it takes a toll on its players. I think the lesson there is how important the regular season is and getting that home ice advantage.”
Kirby Ruzesky notched two, while Matt Thomson and Lucas Jones added singles in the season-ending loss.
In Game 6, on the previous night in Strathmore, the Kings fed off the hometown crowd to win 5-4 to get it to a Game 7.
“We came and out executed, and didn’t let the pressure get to us. I thought it was one of the better games we played in the series,” said Blumes.
Graham Watkins, Zac Schillinger, Sebastien Turgeon, Justin Kostiuk and Ruzesky scored in the win.
Game 5, Blumes said, was just a case of having a lead going into third period and penalties becaming a factor in a 6-2 loss in Coaldale.
Brayden Beckley had both goals in the loss.
Blumes added that throughout the year the players got better and matured as a group as the season went on.
“We certainly got better, a lot of players did some growing up throughout the season. I think during the regular season if we played with that same kind of determination and commitment, it would have made a difference,” said Blumes. “I’ve learned more this season than I have in the past two or three combined about the importance of surrounding yourself with good people and managing people and expectations.”