WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Brandon Wheat Kings game notes

Published on February 23, 2006 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


GAME NOTES: The WHEAT KINGS return home to the friendly confines of the Keystone Centre Saturday night to face the CALGARY HITMEN.This is BRANDON'S first game in eight days (lost 4-3 overtime decision to PRINCE ALBERT on Feb. 17th).The WHEAT KINGS are coming off a 3-game road trip that saw them win two to solidify their grip on the fourth and final playoff berth in the Western Hockey League's Eastern Division..Entering weekend play, BRANDON was 24-28-5-4, good for 57 points and a five point cushion on the RAIDERS.After splitting last week's home and home series with PRINCE ALBERT, the WHEATS traveled to Alberta - losing 5-2 in MEDICINE HAT on Tuesday night before rebounding with a 5-4 overtime victory the following night in LETHBRIDGE - a club that the WHEAT KINGS beat four of five times this year.TYLER DITTMER was credited with the overtime winner.RYAN REAVES, MARK DERLAGO, JEFF TOPILKO and COLE HUNTER - shorthanded - also scored for the WHEAT KINGS, who improved their overtime record to 7-5-4.Netminder TYLER PLANTE, making his 51st appearance of the season, turned aside 34 shots including 12-15 in the final period as the 'CANES battled back from a 4-2 deficit to send the game into the extra session.Wednesday's win also moved BRANDON past the HURRICANES and into sole possession of sixth place in the WHL's Eastern Conference.BRANDON is 6-3-0-1 in its last ten games and 6-4-0-1 in February.WHEAT KINGS are looking to record their third consecutive "winning" month, after getting off to one of their worst starts in franchise history.BRANDON is 15-9-4-1 at home and 9-19-1-3 on the road.Since the end of November, the WHEATS are 19-12-1-3.BRANDON travels to REGINA on Tuesday before returning home for a critical 2-game series with PRINCE ALBERT.

VS. HITMEN: This is the fourth and final meeting of the season between these two teams.BRANDON is winless (0-2-1) against CALGARY this winter.Tonight's game is the first game at the Keystone Centre since last month's trade that saw DEREK LEBLANC go to the HITMEN in exchange for 18-year old defenceman DUSTIN KOHN.MARK DERLAGO (2-1-3) leads BRANDON in scoring against the HITMEN this season, while COREY COURCHENE and COLE HUNTER have two goals each.HITMEN have outscored BRANDON 12-10.TYLER PLANTE has appeared in all three games, posting a 3.57 goals against average and a .904 save percentage.Two pairs of brothers will square off - DYLAN vs. THERAN YEO as well as ALEX vs. TYLER PLANTE.

MILESTONES: Captain TEEGAN MOORE played in his 250th career WHL game last Friday night.4-year WHL veteran JEFF TOPILKO took to the ice for the 200th time in his career on Wednesday.TYLER PLANTE recently moved into a tie with BYRON PENSTOCK for third place on the club's all time list for shutouts - with seven. Only JAMIE HODSON and GLEN HANLON (8) have more in franchise history.Tuesday night's game in MEDICINE HAT was also the 100th game of PLANTE'S Western League career.Former CALGARY defenceman DUSTIN KOHN scored his first goal as a WHEAT KING in last week's 3-2 victory over the PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS.

BY THE NUMBERS: TYLER DITTMER is currently tied for 13th in WHL Rookie scoring (13-20-33) with RED DEER'S BRANDON SUTTER. His 20 assists are ninth best among first year players.TYLER PLANTE is 6-2-0-1 in February, after posting a 2.20 goals against average and a .922 save percentage in January. PLANTE is third in the WHL with 51 appearances (Only MATT KEETLEY of the TIGERS and LELAND IRVING of EVERETT have played more).BRANDON is 11-6-1-3 since the trade deadline and the acquisition of NEW YORK ISLANDERS' second round draft choice DUSTIN KOHN, who leads the club with a +14 ranking (+9 since arriving in BRANDON).WHEAT KINGS are 7-5-4 in overtime.DARYL BOYLE and MARK DERLAGO have played in all 61 regular season games this season.Veteran defenceman RILEY DAY is currently 8th in the WHL and second in the Eastern Conference with 172 penalty minutes, which represents a career high for the ex-TIGER blueliner.

BRANDON BITS: Special teams were the difference in Wednesday's win over LETHBRIDGE as the WHEAT KINGS pumped in two powerplay and one shorthanded tally.TYLER STRAUTMAN (shoulder) will undergo shoulder surgery and will be lost for the balance of the season.KEITH AULIE is day to day (neck/shoulder).BRANDON has lost 169 man games to injury this season.WHEAT KINGS are currently averaging close to 3,100 fans per game this season, after averaging 3,500 during the 2004-05 campaign.WHEATIES currently have 23 players on their roster - 2 goalkeepers, eight defenceman and 13 forwards.BRANDON is unbeaten in regulation time when leading through 40 minutes of play...WHEAT KINGS, in conjunction with MANTIOBA BLUE CROSS, will honour local gymnast JENNA KERBIS during the first intermission of Saturday's game. She was recently chosen to represent Canada at the 2006 COMMONWEALTH GAMES in Australia...A second intermission cheque presentation will be made to the GOALS FOR KIDS CAMPAIGN by representatives of the MARTY MURRAY GOLF CLASSIC, held each summer at the Melita golf course. A total of $12,000 was generated last July for WESTMAN DREAMS FOR KIDS. MURRAY is a former WHEAT KING captain and was chosen WHL Player of the Year in 1995.

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