Kings fall to Okotoks

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

Doug Taylor Photo

 

For the third time in three weeks, the Okotoks Bisons took advantage of their opportunities against the Wheatland Kings and came away with an 8-3 win in Strathmore on Jan. 23.
“Of course it was a tough loss,” said Kings forward Tyler Rivest. “Eight goals, all coming from around the center of the ice in front of the net. Just a few mental lapses that can easily be fixed up and we’ll work on it this week at practice and hopefully beat them in that fourth and final game.”
He added that they were inconsistent in their defensive zone coverage and were on the wrong side of unfortunate bounces.
“Our defensive zone needs a little more work,” said Rivest. “Two of their goals were tips, so easy fixes, taking their sticks away. After a loss like that you just have to press the restart button and get back to the basic fundamentals and work hard at practice, in the games and good things will come.”
However, Rivest said there were positives to take from the game as they were able to score two of their goals in around the front of the net where the Oktoks Bisons were getting their valuable scoring chances. He thinks they need to be present in the areas where opportunities arise to get more offense while working towards less shots around the perimeter.
With only two weeks left in the season, Rivest hopes they secure a decent spot in the standings and have the home-ice advantage heading into the playoffs.
Brooker Pretty Youngman, Kristian Ayoungman and Chris Williams scored for the Kings in the loss.
The team will hit the road to Cochrane on Jan. 29 with a 7:30 p.m. start before heading to Ponoka to face the Stampeders on Jan. 30 at 8 p.m.
The Kings last home game will be against the Banff Bears on Feb. 2 at 8 p.m.