Oil Kings to face Daysland in senior hockey playoffs

The 2011-12 Battle River Hockey League regular season is in the books, and the senior AA Big Valley Oil Kings ended it with a pair of losses last weekend.

The winless weekend was a tough way to end the regular season, but the 0-2 record wasn’t indicative of how the team played.

Friday night, the Kings welcomed the Tofield Satellites for the final home game of the season. Although the Oil Kings lost 5-3, it was a great game for the fans at the Agriplex.

With tons of offensive chances and great puck movement, the Kings looked to be in control of the game. The first period was scoreless, with the Kings outshooting Tofield 13-6.

Two minutes into the second period, Aaron Lamson put Big Valley on the scoreboard. Tofield responded with a pair of goals to take a 2-1 lead, but the Kings’ Justin Tremmel was able to find the net at the eight-minute mark.

Devan Shanks gave the Kings a 3-2 lead with five minutes left in the second, but they couldn’t hold on as Tofield tied it up at 3-3 at the end of the second period.

In the third, it was fast and hard-hitting, and Dan McSween just about gave the Kings the lead after letting the puck go off the crossbar.

With 1:32 remaining in the third, Tofield managed to score off a bad-angle shot. With the Big Valley net empty, the boys tried all they could to tie it up, but Tofield netted an empty-netter for the two-goal victory.

On Saturday, the Oil Kings headed to Daysland and lost 4-3 to the team they will face in Round 1 of the BRHL playoffs.

Big Valley goalie Chance Clark got the nod, and played outstanding.

The Kings trailed 3-2 after two periods, with goals from Aaron Lamson and Brett Muhlbach.

The Kings were hungry for a quick goal to start the third and got it from rookie Dave Sissons to make it 3-3.

With nine minutes to go, Daysland got the go-ahead goal, which would prove to be the game-winner.

Despite more concerted offensive efforts, the Kings suffered the one-goal loss.

Clark made 32 saves in the loss and earned second-star honours.

PLAYOFF PUSH: This Big Valley team has really come together, and the playoff run begins tonight (Wednesday) in Daysland. It’s a best-of-seven series, with the winner advancing to the semifinals in hopes of winning the Presidents Cup.

Daysland hosts Game 2 on Friday, with Big Valley back home for the third game Saturday at 8:30 p.m. The Kings also host Game 4 next Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. at the Big Valley Agriplex.

KING-SIZED MANPOWER: Big Valley’s roster additions, such as former Western Hockey League skater Landon Jones, have been a huge boost for the team. Jones is a true leader on and off the ice, and a big impact on the blue-line.

Clark, a goaltender from Stettler who spent time with the AJHL’s Calgary Canucks and Drayton Valley Thunder, was a January signing of the Kings. He has played tall and has made the saves when we needed them most.

Big Valley forward Brett Muhlbach has had a career year, finishing 11th in the BRHL scoring race with 17 goals and 17 assists in 17 games. He was a major part of our offensive success this season and will be a go-to guy in the playoffs.