PR - Wheat Kings

KINGS CLINCH PLAYOFFS

With their 4-3 victory over the Pontiacs yesterday and the Apocalypse's losses to the Marauders and Spirit, the Wheat Kings clinched a playoff seed for the fourth year in a row in the merciless confines of the Western Conference.

"Man, that was close!" exclaimed a relieved Tyler Young, "I thought we were done there... as well as we played since the deadline, the ApocalPublishypse were on a rampage - we had our eyes on the Raiders, never really thought to check behind us until the four horsemen were riding alongside."

At the deadline, the Kings made a couple deals to improve their scoring in order to push their way past the Raiders, who at the time were 3 points ahead. The Apocalypse were 5 points behind the Kings. The deals proved a good move for the Kings who finished the last 20 games playing solid .600 hockey. The Apocalypse though went on an .800 tear. Going into last night's game the Kings had a 1 point lead with the Apocalypse having a game in hand. Making matters worse, the Kings' leading scorer Steve Bernier was out with a hip flexor.

"I though about calling up Peter Mueller, Mike Frolik and Byron Bitz from the farm to give us some help," Mr. Young continued, "but then thought against. The Mini-Wheats are fighting for their life aswell, and it wouldn't do to have them miss and us. So I figured, what the heck, we got those guys at the deadline to make a difference, let them prove their worth now. I put Juice (Kristian Huselius), Steve Weiss and Matty Ellison on a line together, and as it turned out, they proved themselves."

The three combined for 3 goals (five points) in the victory. Jimmy Howard also had perhaps one of his best outings in the most important game of his young career, turning aside 37 of 40 shots.