Winning ways continue for Wild
By Bill Rea

Steve Wicklum picked up his third goal of the evening at 14:15 of the third period.

There is a feeling of confidence around the King Wild these days, in keeping with a team that has posted seven wins in their last 10 starts.

The local guys continued their magic Saturday by notching a 4-1 win at home against the South Muskoka Shield.

Steve Wicklum led the attack for his mates with three goals (including a short-handed marker). Tom Coukos posted the other tally. Goalie Craig Byford had another outstanding game, facing 40 shots and even notching an assist on the first goal of the evening. Coukos, Derek Long and Dan Douglas also earned assists.

It looked for a while like Byford was heading for a shutout, but that bid was ruined early in the third period by bullet from Shield defenceman Matthew Mohan.

"It was a good shot that beat me," he remarked after the game.

The team has seen a big improvement since the rough time they had in November, when they posted just two wins in eight games.

"We went through a little slump," Byford observed, adding things have changed. "We've been coming in with a different mindset in the game."

"I think we're over the bad patch," he remarked, commenting the Dec. 21 8-3 win over the Elliot Lake Bobcats was the key.

"Ever since then, we haven't turned back," he said. "Everyone comes to play every game."

Wicklum was also impressed with the team's efforts, especially in goal.

"These are the wins we're going to need to go into the playoffs," he observed.

"Everything's coming together, and they're starting to work," observed Coach Sheldon Friske. "They're starting to score some goals too, which helps a lot."

The Wild remain in eighth place in the Greater Metro Junior A league standings with 36 points, two back of the Richmond Hill Rams and three behind the Shield.

The team returns to action Friday night when they travel north for a game with the 10th-place Nipissing Alouettes, starting at 8 p.m.Then they will be home Saturday night to host the Shield again, starting at 8:30 p.m. The Wild will travel to Innisfil Sunday afternoon for a 2:30 p.m. encounter with the Lakers, who are in fifth place with 41 points.