The Wheatland Wild 2011 team participated in the North American Hockey Classic in Winnipeg from April 26-29. They started the tournament strong, defeating the Manitoba Mustangs on Thursday and the Manitoba Lightning on Friday before their match against the Regina DR Junior Titans. The Titans were hungry for a win as the Wild had challenged, and reigned over them previously in Moosomin and then again in Wilcox. It was a very tight game up to the third period and then the Wild were able to pull ahead for a 14-11 win.
Saturday afternoon, the Wild came up against the MB Team Xtreme, the tournament favourites; both teams were at 3 and 0 and were looking to finish first in the round robin heading into the playoffs. After a very entertaining game with the score volleying back and forth, the Wild came away with a 15-12 win.
The gold game, Sunday afternoon found the Wild and NB team Xtreme playing once again. Fans were kept on the edge of their seats as the battle raged. There was time served in the sin bins for players from both teams as they both fought hard for the win. Score after the first had the Wild on top 4-2; the Team Xtreme in the lead 9-8 with two periods complete. The third period saw Team Xtreme go ahead by three goals at one time before Wheatland went wild and scored five in a row to come away with the gold. Shots on goal in this game were 28-29 in favour of Team Xtreme.
Overall in this tournament the Wheatland Wild went 5 wins, 0 losses and 0 ties for a total of 10 points.
Goals for -83, goals against 41. The team finished their season undefeated.
Players, parents and fans would like to extend their thanks to the coaching and management staff for the extended hockey season and the opportunity for these six- and seven- year-old players and their families to come together as a team, developing into a hockey family with friendships that will be ongoing.
