Wells gives Parkland props after tough playoff series win

Journal Photo by Bruce Penton

Wheaton King blisters a shot on net during game three of the preliminary playoff series between the AAA Wheat Kings and the Parkland Rangers.

On paper, it looked like a cakewalk for the Brandon AAA Midget Wheat Kings. On the ice however, it was a totally different story.

After four straight losses to end the regular season resulting in the team falling to third place in the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League West Division, the AAA Wheat Kings had to play a preliminary round best-of-three playoff series against the Parkland Rangers this past week.

The Rangers finished in last place in the West with only eight wins. The AAA Wheat Kings met the Rangers four times during the regular season and outscored them 26-2.

But three games and two overtime victories later and Brad Wells, AAA Wheat Kings head coach, has a new-found respect for a Rangers club that came within a blink of an eye of knocking off Wells' club in a huge first-round playoff upset.

“I give Parkland a lot of credit,” said Wells. “Their guys stepped up and played hard.

“You have to respect every team you play in this league. It doesn't matter who you play, every team has a chance to win.”

Wells credits Rangers netminder Jayson Argue for his stellar play during the series. Argue was clearly the busier of the two goaltenders during the three-game set and was the difference maker in the Rangers lone victory in game two, making 39 saves in a 4-1 win.

“Their goaltender was the difference in the series,” said Wells. “He gave them a chance to win. We were off our game a little bit but their goaltender was unreal.”

Asked if his club took the Rangers lightly, Wells replied, “Honestly, I don't think we did. We approached and prepared as best we could. I think going into the series, I didn't think we were playing our best hockey but we weren't playing terribly bad either.

“It was a learning experience to be pushed to elimination and to play under the pressure of having to win a game,” continued Wells.

The AAA Wheat Kings are now in the midst of a best-of-three quarterfinal match-up against the Eastman Selects. On Wednesday, Brandon squeaked out a 3-1 victory in game one. The team won three of four from the Selects during the regular season.

“We were really close in terms of points at the end of the regular season,” said Wells. “They scored a few more goals than us in the regular season and we didn't give up as many as them. It'll be a good series.”

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