By CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden) — The Astrolabe Arena in Cobden is the place to be Saturday night for the inaugural home opening game of the Whitewater Kings of the CCHL2.
Also known as a Junior B team, there are about 23 players ready to showcase their skills to their hometown fans against nearby rivals the Renfrew Timberwolves.
The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Local dignitaries will be on hand for the opening ceremonies.
It’s expected the stands will be filled, said Kevin Ready, team general manager. Many people have said to him, “The arena is where I’ll be on Saturday night.
“If that’s the kind of response we’re getting, we can expect good crowds.”
Ready added, “I think the fans will be surprised at the quality of hockey.”
Head coach Daryl Faught said this is a young team. The team is made up four 16-year-olds; two 20-year-olds, one eighteen-year old and the rest are 17.
“They’re playing at roughly guys four years older than them and against more mature kids,” he said. “But, when it comes down to competing, I think this team has the desire, a lot of them want to go on to Junior A, so the competitive level is going to be there.”
Coach Faught likes to think the players are offensive-minded, very aggressive on the puck, which means they ‘ll have the puck more times than the other teams.
As for Saturday night’s home opener, he said, “I think the kids are all excited. The coaching staff is. It’s new for the town of Cobden. I’m basically from Cobden, so it’s sort of nice to be part of the inaugural season.
“I think the community is pumped about it.”
Coach Faught said those in the stands will see very good hockey.
“I think you’re getting a good bang for your buck, if you like hockey,” he said.
The charge is $9 at the door, but $5 for those 13 and under and 60 and older.
The Kings started their season last weekend at the CCHL2 Showcase at the Richcraft Arena in Ottawa. After their first game against the Ottawa Canadians was postponed due to an ammonia leak, the Kings won their first game in the team’s history with a 3-1 win over the Alexandria Glens.
Three Kings scored, once in each period. Michael Karas scored unassisted just past the four minute mark in the first period followed by Micheal Hubers, with help from Chad Cherry on a power play in the second and Peter White, also on a power play with assists by Gage Tremblay and Matteas Derraugh, in the third.
The lone Glens’ scorer was Innis Macleod in the first period.
Goalie Kevin Proulx was the lone goalie for the Kings and stopped 28 of 29 shots on goal. Glens goalie Brennan Nadeau stopped 23 of 26 shots on goal.
The Whitewater Kings earned 10 minutes in the penalty box on five infractions, while the Glens spent 14 minutes on seven infractions.
In the penalty box for the Kings were Gage Tremblay, Nicholas Olmstead, Lawson Leclaire, Reid Barber and Jonathan Ready. All were two-minute penalties.
In powerplays, the Kings scored twice in seven while the Alexanderia Glens were zero for five.
The Kings are in third place out of eight in the Richardson Division of the CCHL2.
Community Partnership Program
The team has also decided that if the community can support it, it can support the community. It has partnered with four area organizations and will hold special nights for them to raise money through the Community Partnership Program. The four organizations are the Breakfast, Snacks and Lunch Program in neighbouring schools, namely Cobden District Public School, St. Michael’s Catholic School in Douglas and Opeongo High School; Valley Heritage Radio; the Cobden Curling Club; and Kayla’s Kid’s Club, which operates out of the Beachburg Arena.
Coach Faught said he’s not too familiar with the program yet, but believes it’s a great way of getting the community involved.
The Breakfast, Snacks and Lunch Program is the first group to have a special night, and that’s opening night, Ready said. Following the game Saturday night, Washboard Hank will be entertaining in the upstairs hall of the arena. There will be no charge for the entertainment, but donations will be accepted. All the donations will be split between the three schools, he said.
Washboard Hank has been entertaining crowds for more than 20 years. In addition to playing the banjo, Martin guitar, kazoo and dobo, he plays the washboard and a truly amazing conglomeration of bells, license plates, duck calls and the Fallopian tuba.
