Hitmen Score Shootout Win
October 8, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release
Brandon, Manitoba -- In a game that featured two of the top ranked teams in the Western Hockey League, amid a playoff type atmosphere before close to 4,300 fans, it took an Overtime Shootout to settle the issue.
When the dust had cleared, the nation's number one ranked team, the Calgary Hitmen had escaped Westman Place with a hard fought 4-3 victory.
Shootout goals by Brandon Kozun and Joel Broda turned out to the be difference as the Hitmen improved their league leading record to 6-1-0.
After a scoreless opening period, both teams swapped four goals in the second, setting the stage for Cody Gross to give the Hitmen a 3-2 lead at the four minute mark of the third. The Wheat Kings evened things up just past the midway point of the frame when Jay Fehr beat Calgary goalkeeper Michael Snider on the powerplay.
Matt Calvert scored his first two goals of season for the 4-2-0-1 Wheat Kings, while Kris Foucault had two for the Hitmen, who were outshot 33-31. Netminder Andrew Hayes, in making his seventh consecutive start for Brandon, made 28 saves in a losing cause.
Wednesday's game marked the WHL debut of 18-year old Finnish forward Toni Rajala. Brandon's first pick and 14th overall selection in June's Canadian Hockey League Import Draft, played alongside Calvert and Brayden Schenn and finished the game with an assist.
The Wheat Kings will close out their current 4-game homestand by kicking off Thanksgiving weekend with a game against the visiting Kootenay Ice on Friday night. Friday is Caddyshack Night, presented by Oak Island Resort.
Tickets to Friday's game can be purchased at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling 726-3555 or online at ticketmaster.ca
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Western Hockey League Stories from October 8, 2009
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- Oil Kings Call Up Mitchell Moroz - Edmonton Oil Kings
- T-Birds Acquire Defenseman Scott Ramsay From Swift Current - Seattle Thunderbirds
- WHL This Week: Looking Ahead... - WHL
- Oil Kings Support Edmonton's Food Bank - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Winterhawks To Honor Dan Folwick At Saturday's Game - Portland Winterhawks
- Wheaties Reassign Krzyzaniak - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Bruins Make More Roster Moves - Chilliwack Bruins
- Tigers Trade Stampohar - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Americans Sign Draft Pick Driedger - Tri-City Americans
- Georganne Dupont Joins Raiders as Business Manager - Prince Albert Raiders
- Hitmen Score Shootout Win - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Rockets defeat Tigers in shootout - Kelowna Rockets
- Late comeback not enough to put away Portland - Everett Silvertips
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