PR - Wheat Kings

Those Who Liked Him, Like Him A Lot (now)

The Wheat Kings' recent surge into the playoffs was rather inexplicable, that
is until recently.  The Kings have gone 0-4 over the last week and are only
maintaining a spot in the playoffs thanks to poor showings by those below them. 
The losing skid began with an injury to defenceman Duncan Keith during a loss to
the Misconduct.

"After Keith went down we were a different team," coach Mike Keenan said.  "We
were walloped by the Patriots and the Misconduct twice.  Our defence collapsed,
I've never seen anything like it."

The only good thing to come out of the recent losing streak was the recognition
of Keith's importance to the Kings.  Prior to his injury some had suggested
that the success lay with rookie goalie Jamie Howard or with the increased playing
time of the 'Big Three' - Stever Bernier, Dimitri Kazionov, and Josh Hennessy. 
But without Keith, the defence faltered and Howard proved incapable of
resisting the barage, allowing an incredible 15 goals on 60 shots and being pulled in
all three games.  Some think that the Kings should go with the veteran Kevin
Weekes down the stretch, but the Kings said that they made a commitment to go with
Howard for the rest of the season, no matter what.

"Our objective when we cleaned house was to allow some of our young players to
get a test run on the pro," GM Tyler Young said, "I really want to know what
some of our young guys can do.  We were out of the playoffs when Howard took
over, if we finish out of the playoffs when all is said and done then so be it - we
didn't lose anything."

Two other players receiving a 'sizing-up' on the pros for the rest of the year
are Eric Nystrom, who was injured in his first game but will return next game,
and Brian McConnell, both acquired as 'flyers' in a deal with the Saints a
couple weeks ago.

"In the end I can at least feel relieved that we have at last acquired a true
number one defenseman," Mr. Young stated.  "In our conference I've been
wathching guys like Nik Lidstrom and Sergei Gonchar for several years, trying to find a
premiere d-man that could do what those guys do - that whole package, you know,
the guy that makes your team better than it should be.  I had hoped that Dan
Sprang or Matt Jones would develop into that kind of player, but in the end both
weren't able to handle it - with Keith I think we finally have one."

The only good news to come out of the week from hell is that Kazionov has
jumped into the league goal-scoring lead with 37 juices, two ahead of the pack.  Kaz
is coming-on late since the departure of Peter Forsberg and Masi Marjimaki. 
The Kings had hoped to see Kaz get 50 goals this year, but he will need 13 in 18
games to achieve that - it is very possible that no player will make 50 goals
this season in the TFHL.

The Kings announced that they will most likely not be making any deals as the
Trade Deadline approaches.

"The cost is too high for even rentals and we don't really need any, or at
least not at the asking price. There's one deal out there that may be workable, so
we'll see, but if we do make a move it will be simply another prospect-type
transaction."