Blades Dump Wheat Kings

February 6, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release

Brandon, MB. - The Brandon Wheat Kings, fresh off a 5-game Alberta road trip, returned home Tuesday night and dropped a 7-3 decision to the visiting Saskatoon Blades.

Kirby Dach scored three times while Max Gerlach and Eric Florchuk had two each as the Blades grabbed a 1-0 first period lead and led 4-3 after forty minutes.

With the win, the Blades improved to 31-13-8-0 while the Wheat Kings slipped to 22-21-3-4 on the season.

Brandon currently trails the Calgary Hitmen by six points in the race for the eighth and final playoff berth in the Western Hockey League's Eastern Conference.

Scoring in a losing cause for the Wheat Kings Tuesday night were Luka Burzan, Stelio Mattheos and Cole Reinhardt, the club's TELUS Player of the Month for January. For Mattheos, it was his team leading 32nd of the season and for Burzan, his second period goal was his 30th of the year.

All three of Brandon's goals came with the man advantage.

Rookie Ethan Kruger made 30 saves in goal for the Wheat Kings while Dorrin Luding stopped 25 shots in posting the victory.

Brandon went 3 for 6 with the man advantage. Saskatoon was 2 for 3.

The Wheat Kings will now turn their attention to Friday night when they play host to the Swift Current Broncos.

Not only is Friday "Player Card Giveaway Night", presented by Guild HMS Insurance, the game will feature a special pre-game ceremonial opening face-off to officially kick off the 50th Anniversary Tournament of Champions in Brandon.

Between now and then however, the Wheat Kings will host their annual Sportsman's Dinner on Thursday.

The event, which is held annually to raise money for the hockey club's Scholarship Fund, will feature Hockey Canada's Tom Renney, comedian Steve Patterson and broadcaster Daren Millard.

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 6, 2019

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• Game 51 at Kootenay - Medicine Hat Tigers
• ICE Host Tigers in Wednesday Night Match-Up - Kootenay Ice
• Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Wednesday, February 6 vs. Regina - Calgary Hitmen
• Blades Dump Wheat Kings - Brandon Wheat Kings
• Game Day Preview: Pats Continue Road Trip in Calgary Wednesday - Regina Pats
• Five Third Period Goals Lift Americans to Victory over Winterhawks - Tri-City Americans
• Giants Kick off Road Trip with a 4-2 Win over Prince George - Vancouver Giants
• Pair of Quick Goals Thwart Cougars - Prince George Cougars
• Royals Thwarted by Thunderbirds - Victoria Royals
• Ross Robs Royals for T-Birds Victory - Seattle Thunderbirds
• Blades Combined Effort Takes Care of Wheaties - Saskatoon Blades
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