WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Jones and Hadland Provide Heroics as Wheat Kings Outlast Pats

Published on September 9, 2023 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


It wasn't an offensive battle by any means, but the Brandon Wheat Kings emerged from their first test of the preseason with a close, hard-fought win over the Regina Pats.

Caleb Hadland scored the lone goal of the game, and Nicholas Jones pitched a shutout, stopping all 34 shots he faced, as the Wheat Kings downed the Pats 1-0. Kelton Pyne stopped 28 of 29 shots he faced for Regina.

Though the first period saw no goals, it wasn't exactly a tentative start. Both teams came out physically, toeing and at times crossing the line, resulting in some power play chances each way. The Wheat Kings had three power plays, in fact, but could not convert, though they did come out of the period with a 14-12 shot advantage.

A slightly undermanned Wheat Kings forward corps showed some signs of fatigue in the second, as Regina outshot them in that period 14-8. The Pats even had a breakaway opportunity, though the resulting shot went high and wide. Every time he was tested, Jones stood tall.

Despite more power play opportunities, including a brief 4-on-3 to start the third, the Wheat Kings couldn't break through. Ironically, it was while shorthanded that they finally broke the seal on the preseason.

After Nolan Flamand won a battle just inside the Wheat Kings line, he flipped the puck to centre for Hadland to skate on to. Accelerating up to it, Hadland pulled ahead and burst into the zone, snapping his shot low-glove on Pyne for what would prove to be the game-winner.

The Pats wouldn't quit. On that very same power play, they had an excellent chance just as time ticked down. Again, Jones stood his ground. He did so again on another Pats power play later in the third, but this time he had more help as his defense did an excellent job denying the Pats zone entries.

With the net empty, Regina kept up the press, but the Wheat Kings held them mostly to the outside and never really gave them any good opportunities 6-on-5. Jones and the five-man unit in front of him slammed the door to give Brandon the win.

The Wheat Kings return home to continue the preseason, facing the Pats once again the very next night, Saturday, September 9. Puck drop will be 7:00 local time.

Walk-up tickets will be only $10 for adults and $5 for kids, and preseason games are included in the package for season ticket holders.

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Western Hockey League Stories from September 9, 2023


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