By Robb Fenton
The Lloydminster Border Kings seem to be peaking at the right time and adding the right pieces.
The Kings picked up their sixth straight win this past Sunday, beating the West Central Alberta Rams 4-1, sweeping the weekend.
Jordy Dougan led the way Saturday night in a 5-1 win, recording three points and Aaron Foster – who is back in a Kings’ uniform – led the attack Sunday with a pair of goals.
“It feels good. It’s a long time coming, it’s been a while, but I needed to get away from the rink for a little bit and now I want to play hockey again,” Foster said, adding the break has re-energized him.
The decision was a fairly easy one by Foster, who had some help making it from head coach Kent Staniforth and some of the other players who welcomed him back with open arms.
“I’m good friends with Kent and he has been twisting my arm and in December I was skating, seeing if I could go again and it’s been good. The guys wanted me to be here and that was the biggest thing. I wasn’t going to come back if they didn’t want me here,” he said.
While the effort has always been there, little things slowed the Kings’ success in the first half of the year, but all those seem to be changing in 2010.
“I guess we’re getting a little more consistent numbers-wise and guys with just games played can find a bit of a groove. The first half I don’t think guys played with the same linemates two games in a row, or at all, so coming down the stretch it’s important for guys to get familiar with who they’re skating with,” Staniforth said. “We’re getting a little more luck that way and adding Chevy (Chevan Wilson) to the lineup has helped. He’s a guy who puts up points and with Fozzy (Foster) in the lineup this weekend, once he finds a bit of a groove he’s an impact player for the team.”
The line of Foster, Wilson and Dougan combined for 13 points on the weekend in two wins and both B.J. Boxma and Tyler Walter picked up wins.
Foster said stepping on to a line with two talented players made his return pretty smooth.
“It was good. I bug them because it’s like playing with two little water beatles, I can’t keep up with them, they’re too quick,” Foster said with a laugh referring to his linemates. “I hadn’t played a game in a Border Kings jersey without Scott Hood beside, so it was different, but we clicked right off the bat. They’re quick and skilled and I just try to find the seams. It worked out good.”
Staniforth had nothing but good things to say about of Foster and what he will bring to the team.
“He’s a professional. He’s been there, he’s played there and just his attitude, you really can’t say enough about it. I absolutely love having him on the ice, on the bench or in the room, wherever we can have him is beneficial to us,” Staniforth said.
“He takes it serious and he wants to go hard, play hard and compete. When he’s ready to go, in the zone and in good shape, there’s no better all around player in the league.”
Up next for the Border Kings is a date with the top team in the league, the Bentley Generals.
The Kings (8-7-0-1) host the Generals (17-1-0-0) Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Civic Centre.