WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

April 4 Preview: Wheat Kings vs Blades 7 PM

Published on April 4, 2021 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


The Brandon Wheat Kings (8-2-1-0) take on the first place Saskatoon Blades (9-1-1-0) tonight from Regina's Brandt Centre at 7 PM Manitoba time. Riding a 5 game win-streak, the Wheat Kings have enjoyed two days of rest after beating the Regina Pats 7-2 on Thursday evening. The Saskatoon Blades enter the game following their first regulation loss this season, getting shut out bythe Moose Jaw Warriors on Friday night 4-0. The Blades currently lead the East Division with 19 points and the Wheat Kings sit just two points back in second place with 17.

Last time they met

The Blades won the last meeting between the two teams on March 22, a 6-4 victory where Brandon gave up an early lead and clawed back into the game getting to within a goal before a Kyle Crnkovic empty netter sealed it. Crnkovic led the Blades with two goals and an assist and Lynden McCallum led the Wheat Kings with two goals and an assist as well. The game featured 68 penalty minutes in all, a sign that there is no love lost between these two teams. Wheat King Reid Perepeluk was served a 10-minute misconduct and so was Blades forward Wyatt Macleod, and both teams had an ample amount of rough stuff throughout.

Ritchie continues to shine

Nolan Ritchie still quietly leads the Wheat Kings in points (5G-11A-16pts), being held off the scoresheet only two games this season. In the last three outings for Brandon, Ritchie is 61.5% from the faceoff dot and has 1 goal and 4 assists. The 18-year old centre has facilitated the Wheat Kings' offence from all over the ice this season with his team-leading 11 assists.

McCallum in the middle

Lynden McCallum (9G-3A-12pts) has registered a point in the Wheat Kings' last 8 games and is tied with Jake Chiasson for the lead in game winning goals for Brandon with 2. During his 8 game points streak, McCallum has all 9 of his goals this season, a number of them coming from within only a few feet of the opposing goal mouth. McCallum's ability to make space in front of the net and test the opposition's defenders from below the hash marks, makes him a pesky player to play against and helps the Wheat Kings' forecheck on a nightly basis.

Saskatoon Blades - Last 5 Games

March 24 - Swift Current 5 - 6 Saskatoon Blades (OT)

March 26 - Saskatoon Blades 7 - 3 Regina Pats

March 29 - Saskatoon Blades 4 - 0 Prince Albert

March 31 - Saskatoon Blades 3 - 2 Winnipeg ICE

April 2 - Moose Jaw 4 - 0 Saskatoon Blades

The Blades are led by Kyle Crnkovic in scoring (4G-10A-14pts) followed closely by captain Chase Wouters (5G-8A-13pts) and Tristen Robins (6G-7A-13pts). Wouters will not play this evening as he serves the final game of a 3 game checking-from-behind suspension against the Prince Albert Raiders.

Nolan Maier has been sharp for the Blades so far this season, carrying a #SubwayWHLHub-leading record of 7-1 and a .909 save percentage. Maier recently became the Blades' franchise leader for wins by a goaltender, with 86.

The puck drops at 7 PM Manitoba time tonight and can be watched via the WHL Live streaming package at www.watch.chl.ca. Because the Wheat Kings are tonight's "road" team, Blades play-by-play announcer Les Lazaruk will be the voice calling the game on the stream. Fans can also hear Branden Crowe call the game on the radio at Q Country 91.5 FM or 880 on the AM dial.

Check out the Brandon Wheat Kings Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from April 4, 2021


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