After shedding their first three video games of 2022, the Wheatland Kings received their first win of the brand new 12 months on house ice in opposition to the Coaldale Copperheads Jan. 15.
The group’s head coach, Ron West, mentioned it was a much-needed win following their consecutive losses for the reason that season resumed after Christmas.
“It’s about time. It was powerful watching what I’ve seen the final couple of weeks right here. It was a troublesome one final night time, we had some accidents and that actually harm us quite a bit,” mentioned West. “We didn’t get to observe in any respect this final week, so it was powerful to observe, after which tonight they got here out with coronary heart, so it was good.”
The Kings have been soundly defeated by the Okotoks Bisons on Jan. 7, the Medication Hat Cubs on Jan. 8 and by the Excessive River Flyers on Jan. 14, every in away video games.
The sport in opposition to Excessive River marked the primary time the Kings had misplaced to all of them season and to make it worse, the Kings have been shut out fully, ending the sport 5-0.
“We performed the highest group final week to start out after which we had Medication Hat on the street, so two on the street after which Excessive River – we simply weren’t prepared for,” mentioned West.
The Kings lastly squeaked out a win in opposition to the Coaldale Copperheads 4-3, with the ultimate objective being scored within the King’s favor, roughly two minutes earlier than the ultimate buzzer.
West added he was far more happy along with his group’s efficiency on Saturday night time than within the earlier three video games.
“They got here out with coronary heart tonight. They got here out after embarrassing themselves final night time, they got here out with coronary heart and so they battled. They labored laborious, you simply must belief them and so they’re good,” mentioned West. “Defensively, they did precisely what I requested them. We tried doing a strong-side defensive and it labored very effectively.”
Regardless of the stronger efficiency, West nonetheless feels just like the group might do higher defensively and intends to work on persevering with to develop that because the common season attracts to a conclusion.
That being mentioned, West had excessive praises for his goaltender, Brett Willan, who took 36 pictures over the course of the sport. The Kings themselves solely managed 22 pictures on objective.
“We nonetheless must work on being higher within the defensive zone. It’s nonetheless not the place I need it to be and it’s nonetheless stronger within the impartial zone. I need to be powerful between the dots and we’re not there but,” mentioned West. “My goaltender was unreal tonight and that actually helps us quite a bit, it retains our momentum up when he’s busting his butt that onerous.”
The Kings is not going to play Coaldale once more for the remainder of the season, although it's but to be decided whether or not the 2 will conflict within the playoffs.
On Sunday night time, the Kings as soon as once more took on the Medication Hat Cubs, a group which West mentioned he “despises,” and beat them on house ice 5-4 in extra time.
Presently sitting fourth within the division, the Kings have secured a spot within the playoffs, which can kick off instantly following the conclusion of the common season.