PR - Wheat Kings

WHEAT KINGS SWEET ACHAEANS; FACE 'CANES IN FINALS

The Saskatchewan Wheat Kings who were sitting out of the playoffs until the last few games of the year are now about to challenge for the league championship.

The Kings swept a competitive but suprisingly short series against the favourite Achaeans.

"The series with the Acheaeans was an enjoyable one," coach-GM Tyler Young said, "I thought it was good hockey, it was really much closer than the results indicate. Each game and indeed the series could have swung the other way at any moment. I'm glad though we won in four, it gave us some much needed time to recoup."

The Kings emerged from the Western Conference finals a little worse for wear. Nearly every on of the grissled men of the plains suffers from sort of undisclosed aches, bruises, sprains and breaks. Jimmy Howard was in definite need of a rest after 16 games in net and Matt Ellison after he re-agitated an injury he had suffered in the second round, missing the two final games of the series.

Although the Kings emerged victorious from the Western championship, they did not have a sense of triumph. One of their stars Steve Bernier tore an ACL on a freak colision with Achaean Vladimir Nedorost. He requires surgery and will be lucky to return in time for training camp next year.

"Yeah, Bernie took that bad, just a freak accident, they got crossed up on a line change, each looking the either way. It hurts a lot to lose a guy like Bernie, but it also gives our guys some incentive to step up to fill his place."

The Kings found-out today that they will face off against the Calgary Hurricanes. Never having met in the playoffs, there is no history for this poor scribe to impart.

"Should be a great series, very excited," Mr. Young stated, "we aren't as familiar with the Canes as with the Ice, Flames, or Achaeans, but we do know they have a great team and they also have a heckuva guy in Naslund. I remember back when Marcus used to be dominant like that, then he quieted down and we haven't heard from him in a few years. But skill like that never leaves. If they win this series it would be a sure testament to a great player."