![1-SPORTS-Kings](https://i0.wp.com/morinvillenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/1-SPORTS-Kings.jpg?resize=678%2C381&ssl=1)
by Stephen Dafoe
The pressure is all on the Morinville Senior AA Kings, after dropping two straight over the weekend in a best-of-five playoff series against the Red Deer Rustlers.
The Kings knew heading into the series that the series would not be handed to them on a silver platter. Red Deer won both games in the regular season against the Kings. A 4-3 overtime win in November for the Rustlers ended the Kings long streak of wins, and the Rustlers took down the Kings 4-2 in the last game of the regular season.
Head Coach Wayne Gatza said the Rustlers were a solid team with a lot of skill but said his team was ready for the challenge.
Saturday night was just not the Kings’ night. Trailing 1-0 after one, the Kings found themselves down 2-1 after two, the club’s only goal of the period and the game coming from Kyle Plett, assisted by Tom Brennan and Jordan Thomas on a powerplay advantage. Tyler Berkholtz pocket the Rustlers’ third and final goal midway through the final frame as an unassisted and shorthanded contribution.
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Sunday put the Kings on the road for the rematch, but the outcome was not the one they hoped for. Trailing 4-1 after one, the Kings battled back to trail 6-3 after two and narrowed the gap to within one to find themselves on the losing side of a 6-5 decision.
Morinville will need to win three consecutive games to take the series and advance to the League Championship.
Game three is in Morinville Saturday, Feb. 22 at 8:15 p.m. in Morinville. Game four, if needed, will take place Sunday, Feb. 29 in Red Deer at 7:30 p.m. A fifth and deciding game would take place in Morinville Sunday, Mar. 1 at 3 p.m.