WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Friday Is Family Skate Night

January 7, 2010 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, Manitoba -- A battle between the top two teams in the Western Hockey League's Eastern Conference highlights Friday night's 9-game schedule.

The Brandon Wheat Kings, winners of three straight and eleven of their last 13 games, play host to the visiting Medicine Hat Tigers at Westman Communications Group Place.

The Wheat Kings enter the weekend with a record of 28-13-0-2, good for 58 points (2nd most in the WHL's Eastern Conference), which leaves them four points behind the front running Saskatoon Blades. The Tigers meanwhile are second in the Central Division with a 24-13-3-4 mark, good for 55 points, one point back of the first place Calgary Hitmen.

Brandon is coming off Wednesday night's 6-1 victory over the Lethbridge Hurricanes in a game that saw the Wheat Kings play without veterans Brayden Schenn and Toni Rajala. While Rajala returned from playing with Team Finland at the World Junior Hockey Championships on Wednesday, he did not play. Schenn meanwhile has been given a few days to rest at home in Saskatoon, after Tuesday night's heartbreaking loss to the United States in the Gold Medal final. Schenn expects to rejoin the Wheat Kings next week.

Entering weekend play, two of Brandon's 20-year old veterans sit among the WHL scoring leaders. Matt Calvert is currently fourth in the league with 27 goals and 57 points while Aaron Lewadniuk, December's Tip Top Player of the Month, is tied for eighth place with Kootenay's Dustin Sylvester. In 37 games, Lewadniuk has 53 points including 21 goals.

Friday night's game will feature the hockey club's 2010 Family Skate Night, presented by 880 CKLQ, 94.7 Star FM and The Home Depot. Fans are encouraged to bring their skates and cameras to the arena and join the Wheat Kings on the ice following the game. As well, "Madagascar" will be played on the big screen after the game.

Fans planning to attend Friday night's game are reminded that both entrances to the Keystone Centre - off of 18th Street - will be temporarily closed due to the Olympic Torch Relay that will pass through the City Friday night. After arriving in Brandon at approximately 5:45 p.m., the torchbearers will travel south on 1st Street to Richmond Avenue, then west to 18th Street, before turning north and heading to the Riverbank Discovery Centre.

Due to the Relay, fans are encouraged to use the Keystone Centre entrance off of 13th street when coming to the game.

Tickets to Friday's game are on sale now at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling 726-3555 or online at ticketmaster.ca.

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 7, 2010


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