A "roller coaster" of a first half has the Mister Transmission Jr. B Kings heading into the second half of their season with a 4-6 record.
After two tough road losses in eastern Ontario, the Kings returned home and lost a 6-5 heartbreaker to the Halton Hills Bulldogs at Rotary Place.
The Kings mounted a comeback, scoring two late goals, but fell just short in the final seconds of the game. Goal scorers were Carson Thayer, Alex May, Jake Curran, Sam Neely and Ty Ross. Assists went to Jack Marwick (2), Gabe Neely, May, Curran, Brycen Murray and Hudson Lockyer-Fagan.
With 10 games left in the regular season schedule, the Kings know they have work left to do to make the playoffs.
At the midway point of the season, Colsen Maracle leads the Kings in goals and points with 21 goals and 12 assists for 33 points and is in the top 20 in the league for total points.
Marwick leads the team in assists with 20. The Neely brothers have combined for 30 goals this season. Ty Ross, Noah Quarrington and Hayden Goldthorp have been anchors on defence and Quinton Greenfield has played well between the pipes in the first half of the season for the Kings.
"We’re at the halfway point in what has been a roller-coaster of emotions so far this season," said Hayden Goldthorp, the team's assistant captain.
"The first 10 games we have proven we can be a top team in the league, to our fans, but most importantly to each other," said Goldthorp.
As we enter the back half of the season and come into a playoff push it’s going to be important to focus on the task at hand."
He added the coaches "are putting us in the best position to win, and it’s up to us to make some noise in the playoffs."
Coach Jim Meredith said the team's record may not accurately reflect the team's play.
"Although we had a small set back on our trip east we still feel like we are moving forward," said Meredith, noting two of the team's four losses have been by one goal to teams that are typically strong.
"The saying goes two steps forward and one step backward. We have gone three steps forward and one step back. We need to take another three steps forward and stay the course," said the Kings' bench boss.
Meredith said the team's strong relationship with the Orillia U17 team "has been a huge benefit" to the Kings.
"Numerous players have been attending our practices and they (and us) feel like they are a part of the team," said Meredith. "It is a huge jump from U17 to Junior and beginning to play against 21-year-olds both physically and mentally. This will only make the transition smoother and benefit both clubs."
Goaltender Quinton Greenfield said the young guns have been a big help.
"I’ve been impressed with our young guys who have stepped up to play a big role for our team and I’m excited to see what we are able to pull off in the back half of the season while we hunt for a playoff spot," said Greenfield.
The Kings are next back at home on May 27 to battle the Newmarket Saints. That game is being billed at Alumni Appreciation Night and all former Lions/Colonels and Kings are encouraged to pack the seats at Rotary Place for the 8 p.m. contest.
The U11 team will entertain the crowd between the first and second period and the Legion will be there to provide a booster club for the Kings.
