Kings showing signs of resiliency

Tyler Lowey
Times Reporter

 

The Strathmore Wheatland Kings combined to go 0-12 last season against their three 2016-17 opponents and have walked away with a 2-1 record to open the season.
The Kings split their weekend bill with a 6-3 loss to the Cochrane Generals Sept. 24 at the Strathmore Family Centre, and picked up the 7-3 victory over the Banff Academy Bears the following day at the Banff Recreation Centre in Heritage Junior Hockey League action.
The Kings were involved in a back-and-forth affair with the Generals and cut the lead to 4-3, but the Generals added a pair of empty-net goals to polish off the Kings (2-1).
The Generals (4-0) have not been kind to the Kings recently. The Generals swept the Kings in the quarterfinals during last year’s playoffs, outscoring them 25-8. The Generals also swept the season series 4-0, and bounced the Kings twice in preseason 7-1 and 6-1.
“If we keep playing as a team, we will beat them this year,” said Kings forward Bradley Tingey.
“Well consider how we played them in exhibition – even when we had a few veterans sitting out – I thought it ended up being a decent game,” said Kings assistant coach Braden Desmet.
The Generals opened the scoring at 15:10 into the first period, kicking off a night of flip-flopping.
Every time the Generals scored, the Kings would answer minutes later. Kings scoring came from Joby Raine, Brenden Moore and Matt Thompson with a goal and an assist each, while Kody Hammond and Keenan Ogle added one assist each.
That’s been the Kings so far this year: resilient and constantly working.
“We have guys buying into systems more this year than we did last year,” said Ogle, who is entering his third season with the club. “We are supporting each other in the offensive and defensive zone. It feels like everything is going a lot better when you have five guys pulling on the same rope.”
Kings’ goaltender Brady Hoover stood tall in their season opener and was called upon again to hold the fort while the Kings tried to mount another comeback. Hoover recorded 40 saves in the loss.
“He’s been unbelievable for us already and if he keeps turning in these performances, we will be alright in the end,” said Kings’ head coach Shadoe Stoodley.
It is becoming a trend for Hoover to face a barrage each game. He has faced over 40 shots in all three tilts and carries a .902 save percentage.
“Our D-zone coverage needs work, but it’s still early and we are still going over our systems,” said Stoodely.
“He’s been incredible for the amount of shots he’s had to face,” added Tingey. “We hang him out to dry a lot by not covering the guy in front of the net, but it’s something we work on every day.”
There was no miraculous comeback needed Sunday in Banff as the Kings led 4-3 after the second frame and scored three goals in the third.
While the Bears owned the regular season matchups 4-0 against the Kings last season, the Kings ousted the Bears in the opening round of the playoffs, sweeping the best-of-three series 2-0.
The Kings’ powerplay units are humming along at a 45.5 per cent (5-for-11) success rate so far after converting one goal in three chances against Banff (0-3-1).
Tingey supplied a goal and an assist, while Zachary Meadows chipped in a goal and two assists and Hayden Vanderploeg contributed two assists. Other Kings scoring came from Ryan Grasdahl, Kristian Ayoungman, Cole Busslinger, Jaks Faris and Kody Hammond who each buried one goal, and Laval Jerry, Brooker Pretty Youngman and Thompson tallied one assist each.
Tingey is tied for the team lead with four points and credits his success to feeling comfortable on the ice.
“Right now I have been rotating with a lot of centres, but I really liked playing with Zach (Meadows) and Matt (Thompson),” said the 5-foot-10, 170-pound Hussar product. “We have been getting the puck deep, grinding in the corners and getting the puck out front.”
The Kings travel to Stettler Friday, Sept. 30, to take on the Lightning (1-1) at the Stettler Recreation Centre. The Kings return home Saturday, Oct. 1, when the Mountainview Colts (2-1) come to the Strathmore Family Centre for the Kings first games against the North Division. Puck drop is set for 8:15 p.m.
The Kings went 2-0 against the Lightning matchup last winter. The Kings split the season series with the Colts 1-1 last season.