The King Wild were on a surreal high after winning their last three games of their season, including two games against South Division powerhouses, the Innisfil Lakers and Bradford Rattlers.

Because of the gap in the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League schedule before the playoffs, Wild President and General Manager Naz Marchese set up an exhibition game with Team Ulysee (17-5-3), of the Montreal area, who are first place in the United Junior Hockey League North Division.

The game essentially wasn’t the best competition the GMHL could have offered an opposing league, considering the Wild are preparing for the playoffs and trying to get healthy with several players out of their lineup. As a result, the UJHLers defeated the Wild quite easily, by a 17-5 score at the Dr. William Laceby Community Centre and Arena Saturday.

The Wild will put that game behind them, as they focus their efforts on the Deseronto Storm in the GMHL quarter-finals.

“We haven’t played Deseronto since before Christmas, so each team doesn’t know what to expect,” explained Wild Assistant Coach Sheldon Friske.

Deseronto and King have split the four-game season series year, each winning two games. The last game had the Wild win 4-3 in Nobleton Nov. 22, so more than three months ago. Overall Deseronto outscored the Wild 18-16, so if King can play the way they did against the Storm earlier this season and get players back, the series should be fairly tight.

“They’re (Deseronto) tough and it’s going to be a battle every game and unless we come out to play and get some players back, it will be difficult for us,” said Wild Head Coach Paul Hampton. “You can’t play three, 20-minute periods and keep winning with (nine to 11) skaters.”

The best-of-five series is set to begin at the Deseronto Community Centre, where the Storm have traditionally played the Wild tough, winning both season games, 8-3 Nov. 14 and 4-3 in a shootout Oct. 17. Game 1 will be in Deseronto Friday, starting at 7:30 p.m. Game 2 will be in Nobleton Saturday at 8 p.m., while Game 3 shifts back to Deseronto Sunday for 2:30 p.m. If necessary, Game 4 will be at an undecided King Township Arena March 3, possibly in the afternoon. Game 5 would then be March 4 in Deseronto at 7:30 p.m.

Players to watch

King Wild: The Wild’s top two leading-scoring forwards were Brendan Farrugia and Steve Wicklum. Farrugia led the team in goals with 54, and points with 89, while he added 35 assists. Wicklum led the team with 50 helpers, and was second with 82 points and 32 goals. Against the Storm this season, Farrugia had four goals and four assists, while Wicklum had one goal and six assists.

Deseronto Storm: Though the stats need to be updated, forward Jeff Morris led the team with 67 points (23 goals, 44 assists). Morris had points in every game against the Wild this season, scoring five goals, adding six assists, for 11 points in the four-game season series.

Injury report: The Wild hope to have back several of their injured players in time for the playoffs, including defenceman Taylor McComb (broken hand) and forwards Tom Coukos (ruptured tendon in hand), Anthony Simone, Marc Fortin. Forward Colin Fallis (concussion) is still at least out another 10 days.