Monumental weekend for Kings

Tyler Lowey
Times Reporter

 

Following last weekend’s narrow 3-2 loss to the Stettler Lightning, Strathmore Wheatland Kings head coach Shadoe Stoodley said it would be nice to win a game for their goaltender (Brady Hoover) for a change.
Hoover has been the backbone for the Kings despite getting outshot nearly every game. He was solid in net during the Kings best weekend of the season when they knocked off the number one and two seeds from the northern division of the Heritage Junior Hockey League.
The Kings (7-9-3) cooked the Mountainview Colts 6-3 Nov. 19 at the Didsbury Recreation Complex, and defeated the Airdrie Techmation Thunder 4-3 Nov. 20 at the Strathmore Family Centre.
“He has been there for us every game, win or lose. In my opinion, he’s one of the best goalies in the league,” said winger Jaks Faris.
Hoover didn’t have to be flashy. The majority of shots came from distance; he calmly snatched them up or used his lower body to redirect the puck into the corner for clearance.
The Kings sit 4-5 against teams below .500 and entered the weekend 1-6 against teams over .500. These were undoubtedly two of the biggest wins for the Kings this season.
“Now they know they can compete against the top teams. There’s nothing stopping them now,” said Stoodley.
The Kings were launching from all angles, trying to get a rebound by any means necessary.
“Shadoe came in during the first intermission and told us we needed to shoot and crash the net more,” said Faris.
All four King goals were courtesy of juicy rebound opportunities, including the winner from Faris.
Clinging to a 3-2 lead into the third, Zachary Meadows came streaking down the left wing with Faris as a trailer. Firing low and hard, the puck popped out to Faris, who made no mistake.
“Jaks has been working hard all year and now he’s getting rewarded for it,” said Stoodley. “If he keeps working hard, they will keep going in for him.”
Faris has compiled seven goals and 11 points in 19 games in his second season with the Kings. Last year as a rookie, he was held pointless in 14 games.
“He’s come a long ways from last year,” said Kings captain Keenan Ogle. “He’s working well with (Matt) Thomson out there. They are getting the puck moving and really making things happen.”
The Kings outshot the opposition 45-31, only the fifth time they have accomplished the feat through 19 games.
Thomson was in on a 2-on-1 with Meadows in the first period on a similar play to Faris’s winner. Thomson elected to keep and shoot, with Meadows in front of the net to stuff in the rebound.
Matt Brelis chipped in his first of the season from Brenden Moore at the 16:38 mark in the first period. Kody Hammond tucked in a rebound from Cole Busslinger at 15:17 in the second, with Ogle picking up an assist.
“We’re finally playing as a unit,” said Hoover. “Earlier this year, we would only play like that for 10, 15 minutes. Now we are getting that effort for 55 minutes and it’s coming together.”
Hoover was maxed out, starting both games; recording 28 saves against the division-leading Thunder (14-4-2) and 40 saves against the Colts (13-3-2).
“Last night he stood on his head for us and gave us a chance to win,” said Stoodley. “If we keep putting pucks in the other net, we know he will keep doing his thing and then that’s how we get rolling.”
Saddled with only four defensemen and 10 forwards, the Kings still picked up the convincing win over the Colts on the road.
The fifth-year vet Hoover lowered his goals against average to 3.94 and picked up his seventh win in net.
The Okotoks Bisons (11-8-0) will host the Kings at Murray Arena, Nov. 25. The Bisons are the other team above .500 that the Kings defeated when they clubbed them 6-4 during the home opener Sept. 18 in Strathmore.
The Kings wrap up November when the High River Flyers (6-13-0) enter the Strathmore Family Centre Nov. 26. Puck drop is set for 8:15 p.m.