KENSINGTON – It’s a big weekend for the Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild.
Not only are an important four points at stake in back-to-back New Brunswick/P.E.I. Major Midget Hockey League games, but the Wild is also looking to build momentum in preparation for next weekend’s prestigious Monctonian tournament.

“You want to have two good games, and you want to be at your best for the Monctonian, which is an opportunity for kids to showcase themselves,” said Wild head coach Kyle Dunn.

The Wild takes an 8-4-1 (won-lost-overtime losses) record on the road against the Saint John Vitos (8-5-0) for the second meeting between the two teams in less than a week.

The Wild defeated the Vitos 6-2 before an estimated 400 fans at Community Gardens on Nov. 4. That game was much closer than the final score indicates as two empty-net goals in the final 1:25 put the game out of reach.

“It’s a battle for second place in Saint John on Friday night, with one point separating us,” said Wild head coach Kyle Dunn.

Home Saturday
The Wild will put their perfect home-ice record on the line against the Fredericton Caps (4-8-0) on Saturday. Puck drop at the Gardens is set for 7:30 p.m.

“Fredericton is one of those teams that can beat anybody on any given night,” said Dunn, emphasizing the Wild must understand the Caps’ record is deceiving.

“They can put the puck in the net, and they are going to come to work.

“The parity in this league is so good right now. Anybody can beat anybody on any given night. But, obviously, we do not want to look past Saint John on Friday.”

While the Wild is perfect at home, Dunn admits the coaching staff is looking for improved play on the road. Kensington is 2-4-1 away from the cozy confines of the Gardens.

“I don’t know what it is with our road games,” admitted Dunn. “At home there is no travel, and the fans pack the rink pretty good in Kensington, but something has to change – our preparation, the way we approach the game on the road and that comes from learning and experience.

“We are going to lean on our veterans to help us through this. We just have to do a better job of being prepared and ready to go on the road.”

Notebook
Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild notebook:

Wild head coach Kyle Dunn said Chad Arsenault will start in goal against Saint John on Friday, and veteran Caleb Coyle will be between the pipes versus Fredericton on Saturday.

Forward Frank Fortin leads the Wild with 14 points – 11 goals and three assists – in 13 regular-season games. Forwards Evan Gallant (6-5) and Marc Richard (3-8) are tied for second with 11 points each.

Saturday’s game will start a stretch of five straight league games at Community Gardens for the Wild. With no game on Nov. 18 due to the Monctonian tournament, the Wild will host games on Nov. 25, Dec. 2, Dec. 9 and Dec. 16, before hitting the road to play Fredericton on Dec. 17.

Wild defenceman Zac Arsenault and assistant coach Duane Richards will return to game action this weekend after sitting out two-game suspensions last weekend.