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WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Giants Host Wheaties Wednesday

February 13, 2008 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Vancouver, B.C. -- The Wheat Kings' third 5-game Western Hockey League road trip of the season continues Wednesday night in Vancouver against the defending Memorial Cup Champion Giants.

Fresh off Sunday's 3-0 victory over the Raiders in Prince Albert, Brandon enters the game looking to snap a 3-game winless drought (0-3-0) against B.C. Division teams. Among those defeats was a 4-1 loss to the Giants at Westman Communications Group Place last month.

Riding a 4-game stretch that has seen them collect at least a point (2-0-2-0), the Wheat Kings enter the B.C. leg of this road trip with a record of 33-19-2-2, good for 70 points and a share of third place with Moose Jaw in the WHL's Eastern Division. As well, Brandon is one point back of second place Swift Current and five behind the front running Pats, with two games in hand on both the Broncos and Regina.

Moose Jaw hosts Prince Albert while Calgary visits Swift Current in other WHL action Wednesday night.

In addition to chasing down the Eastern division and conference leaders, the Wheat Kings have set their sights on clinching a playoff berth for the fifteenth time in the past 16 years. Brandon missed the playoffs in 1999-2000, marking the only time since 1993 that the Wheat Kings have been on the outside looking in when the WHL's second season - the playoffs got underway. Brandon's magic number to clinch is six points entering Wednesday's game on the coast.

With the standings as tight as they are the Wheat Kings will need to keep on winning if they hope to earn home ice advantage in the opening round of post-season play. Following tonight's game, Brandon travels to Kelowna to meet the Rockets on Thursday, before closing out this weeklong road trip on Saturday against the Tigers in Medicine Hat. The Wheat Kings will close out the regular season with nine of their final 13 games at home.

Captain Daryl Boyle will reach a WHL milestone tonight as he closes in on another. The 4-year WHL veteran will be suiting up for his 250th career game tonight. The Lethbridge, Alberta product has also moved to within four assists shy of the century mark. In 249 career games, the undrafted 20-year old defenceman has scored 27 goals and 96 assists for 123 points.

As for the Giants, Don Hay's club currently has a healthy 10-point cushion atop the B.C. Division with an impressive 37-13-1-5 record, good for 80 points. Vancouver is led by right-winger Spencer Machacek, blue chip blueliner Jonathon Blum and goalkeeper Tyson Sexsmith. While Machacek leads the club in scoring with 29 goals and 59 points. Blum is second in scoring among WHL defencemen with 11 goals and 46 points while Sexsmith leads the league with a sparkling 1.98 goals against average and six shutouts.

Wednesday's game can be heard on 880 CKLQ with Bruce Luebke and seen on Rogers Sportsnet. Game time is midnight, due to a tape delay.

Next home game for the Wheat Kings is one week from tonight - Wednesday, February 20th - against the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors in a pivotal Eastern Division matchup. Tickets are on sale now at the Keystone box office, by calling 726-3555 or online at ticketmaster.ca.

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