WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Brandon Wheat Kings game notes

Published on December 19, 2005 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


GAME NOTES: The WHEAT KINGS hope to start the second half the way they concluded the opening half of the 2005-06 Western Hockey League regular season when they take to the ice to face the visiting REGINA PATS on Tuesday night at the Keystone Centre.Tuesday's game, BRANDON'S first since enjoying a 10-day Christmas break, will also close out a 4-game home stand for the WHEAT KINGS, who are coming off an impressive 2-0 victory over the RED DEER REBELS on Friday, December 16th.First period goals by SAMI SANDELL and CODEY BURKI provided the offense while 18-year old rookie netminder KURT JORY made 23 saves in earning his first ever WHL shutout, in what turned out to be his first ever WHL start at the Keystone Centre.BRANDON begins the second half of the regular season with a record of 10-19-4-1, good for 25 points and a tie with PRINCE ALBERT for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Western Hockey League's Eastern Division.BRANDON is currently 7-7-3 at home and 3-12-1-1 on the road.BRANDON has lost just three games (in regulation time) over the course of their last ten games (5-3-2) and have given up just 25 goals during that stretch.Following Tuesday's game, the WHEATS will hit the road to meet the RAIDERS in a pivotal game on Friday night before traveling to SASKATOON to play the BLADES on New Years Day.

WHO IS HOT? TYLER PLANTE is 3-3-2 with a 2.74 goals against average in his last eight starts, improving his overall goals against average to 3.96 on the season - the first time that it has been below four goals per game since early October.KURT JORY is 2-0 in his last two starts and has posted an impressive 0.97 goals against average during those two games.Winnipeg product CODEY BURKI scored his tenth goal of the season in last week's win over RED DEER, moving him to within one of club leader DEREK LEBLANC. BURKI is also second in scoring on the team (10-11-21).

SPECIAL TEAMS: BRANDON'S special teams continue to struggle.Through the team's first 34 games of the 2005-06 regular season, the WHEAT KINGS' powerplay and penalty killing are ranked 20th in the WHL.DEREK LEBLANC leads the club with 3 powerplay and two shorthanded tallies.WHEATS were 1-5 on Dec. 16th vs. RED DEER.

VS. REGINA PATS: WHEATS are 3-2-0 vs. REGINA this season.1-1 on home ice including a 3-2 loss to REGINA at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg on December 10th.BRANDON was 8-1-0 in last year's season series with the PATS.

MILESTONES: Former MEDICINE HAT TIGER Defenceman RILEY DAY played his 200th career WHL game on December 9th.KURT JORY picked up his first ever WHL win on December 6th in REGINA and then collected his first ever WHL shutout in his next start - Dec. 16th vs. RED DEER.

BRANDON BITS: BRANDON is 4-11-0 in one-goal games this season..On the mend - TYLER STRAUTMAN (shoulder) and veteran center JEFF TOPILKO (broken leg).DEREK LEBLANC leads the club with a +6 ranking while rookie ANDREW CLARK is next at +4.CODEY BURKI is ranked 5th among WHL draft eligible players by CENTRAL SCOUTING. The 18-year old Winnipeg native is currently in his third Western League season.BRANDON will be without two of its young stars when they kick off the second half of the season. Both MATT HALLICK and KEITH AULIE are at the WORLD UNDER 17 CHAMPIONSHIPS in REGINA, playing for Team Pacific and Western respectively...The WHEAT KINGS have announced that well over 500 tickets have been sold for the 2006 SPORTSMAN'S DINNER, to be held on Saturday, February 4th in the Keystone Centre's UCT Pavillion. This year's featured speakers include former NHL all star DENNIS HULL, comedian RON JAMES and KEVIN CHEVELDAYOFF. The ex-WHEAT KINGS' captain has served as general manager of the American Hockey League's CHICAGO WOLVES for the past eight seasons.

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2005


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