WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Brandon Wheat Kings game notes

Published on April 6, 2005 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


PLAYOFF GAME NOTES: The WHEAT KINGS and CALGARY HITMEN kick off their best of seven Western Hockey League Eastern Conference semi-final series Friday night at the Keystone Centre.After winning 21 of their final 24 regular season games to claim their third Eastern Division pennant in the past four years, the WHEATS disposed of the MOOSE JAW WARRIORS four games to one in their opening round playoff series.In Saturday's series clincher, ERIC FEHR scored three times and set up three others while Calgary product RYAN STONE scored once and set up five as the WHEAT KINGS rolled to an easy 9-1 victory.Defenceman STEVEN LATER, who had been suspended for game four the night before, scored two goals in the opening two minutes of game five as the WHEAT KINGS built up a 4-0 first period lead and never looked back.Tonight's game will only be the second playoff game at the Keystone Centre this spring, due to a scheduling conflict with the ROYAL MANITOBA WINTER FAIR.Game two of the first round series was played at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg.BRANDON hasn't played at the Keystone since defeating MOOSE JAW 7-3 in this year's post-season opener on March 25th.WHEAT KINGS outscored MOOSE JAW 26-12 in the opening round.BRANDON finished the 2004-05 season with an impressive 45-21-5-1 record.At home, the WHEATS were 26-7-1-1 (4-0-0 at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg), third best in the WHL this year (only KELOWNA and KOOTENAY had better records on home ice).On the road, they were 18-14-4.and in overtime, they posted a league leading 9-1-5 mark.The nine victories represents a franchise high and moved BRANDON into a tie for the WHL record, originally set by PORTLAND during the 1989-90 campaign.Including the playoffs, BRANDON has now won thirteen straight games on home ice.The WHEAT KINGS haven't lost on home ice since dropping a 5-3 decision to CALGARY on February 4th..

WHEATS VS. CALGARY: BRANDON was 2-1-1 against the HITMEN during the regular season.During the 4-game season series, captain TIM KONSORADA led the WHEAT KINGS with eight points (2-6-8) in four games, followed by ERIC FEHR (2-5-7).LANCE MONYCH led the club in goals with four while rookie JAKUB SINDEL had four points (3-1-4) in three games.In goal, MIKE NICHOL posted a 2.55 goals against average in three appearances while TYLER PLANTE compiled a 4.24 goals against mark in two games.This will mark only the third time that BRANDON has met a team from CALGARY in the WHL playoffs.The WHEAT KINGS are 8-4-0 after defeating the HITMEN four games to one in the '98 Eastern Conference Finals and upsetting the CALGARY WRANGLERS in the seventh and deciding game of their 1980 opening round playoff series.In that series, BRANDON general manager and head coach KELLY MCCRIMMON was captain of the WHEAT KINGS while CALGARY GM/coach KELLY KISIO was skating for the HITMEN.In the '98 series, former BRANDON coach DEAN CLARK was behind the CALGARY bench.

BRANDON'S PLAYOFF LEADERS: After finishing 1-2 in the WHL scoring race this season, ERIC FEHR (6-7-13) and RYAN STONE (1-11-12) sit atop the playoff scoring parade.Defenceman STEVEN LATER, who has two goals and 6 points in four games leads all blueliners in scoring while TYLER PLANTE leads all WHL rookie 'tenders with a sparkling 2.40 goals against average.FEHR has managed at least a point in four of 5 playoff games.

PLAYOFF MILESTONES: LANCE MONYCH is BRANDON'S active playoff goal scoring leader with eighteen.MONYCH will also be playing his 59th career playoff game Friday, moving him to within two games of the WHEAT KINGS' all time playoff record of 61, which is currently shared by RYAN ROBSON and KELLY SMART.TIM KONSORADA is currently tenth in all time team playoff scoring (10-29-39) and just one behind DARREN RITCHIE.Defenceman RILEY DAY was a member of last year's WHL Championship team in MEDICINE HAT.

BRANDON BITS: WASHINGTON CAPITALS' first round draft choice ERIC FEHR was chosen the HUSKY WHL PLAYER OF THE MONTH for the final month.BRANDON tied a franchise record this past season, winning 15 straight games (Feb. 5th - March 8th).LANCE MONYCH (319) and TIM KONSORADA (311) finished their 5-year WHL careers, sitting second and third on the club's all time list for games played.TYLER PLANTE'S six shutouts his year established a new club record..After leading the WHL during the regular season, BRANDON'S playoff powerplay (26.7%) sits in first place.

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Western Hockey League Stories from April 6, 2005


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