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WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Preview - Wheat Kings vs Pats

March 20, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


The Brandon Wheat Kings (2-1-1-0) enter their fifth game of the 2020-21 season tonight when they take on the Regina Pats (1-2-1-0) at 9:00 PM CDT from Regina's Brandt Centre. After a loss to the Prince Albert Raiders on Tuesday earlier this week and a win over the Swift Current Broncos on Thursday, the Wheat Kings will look to finish the week on a positive note and continue to build on their chemistry that has been developing early in this relatively short season.

The story for the Pats so far this season has been 15-year old rookie phenom Connor Bedard, the first player in the history of the Western Hockey League to be granted exceptional status. Bedard has dazzled WHL fans so far, notching 8 points (4G-4A) in the first 4 games and proving to anyone who might have thought he wasn't ready for the the Western League, well, that he is.

Bedard is by no means big in physical stature but his speed, agility and shot have already turned heads, including those of three separate WHL goalies this season.

The only player in the East Division hub who has scored more goals than Bedard so far is his 21-year old Pats teammate, Carson Denomie. Denomie has 7 points (6G-1A) which means only one other player, Cole Dubinsky, has scored a single goal for the Pats in 2021.

The Pats won their first game on Wednesday against Swift Current after starting their season on a 3-game losing skid against the Prince Albert Raiders, Saskatoon Blades and Moose Jaw Warriors.

The Wheat Kings got the best of the Pats last season, going 3-1-1-0 against them but in the past 5 years the Wheat Kings haven't fared quite as well while playing on the road against Regina. The Wheat Kings have gone 2-9 in their last 11 at the Brandt Centre and 6-4 at home in Westoba Place.

2019-20 Head-to-Head

Nov 23, 2019 - Westoba Place

Pats 5 - 4 Wheat Kings

Dec 30, 2019 - Westoba Place

Pats 1 - 4 Wheat Kings

January 5, 2020 - Brandt Centre

Wheat Kings 5 - 0 Pats

February 17, 2020 - Brandt Centre

Wheat Kings 2 - 1 Pats

February 23, 2020 - Brandt Centre

Wheat Kings 3 - Pats 4 (OT)

Thursday night against the Broncos was a statement game for 18-year old centre Nolan Ritchie, leading all players with 3 points (2G-1A) and anchoring the Wheat Kings' top line between Lynden McCallum and Ben McCartney. Ritchie has looked solid so far this season, especially when playing the point on the Wheat Kings powerplay, but had not yet found the back of the net. That all changed Thursday when he scored both the opening and closing goals in the 4-1 win and even made time to throw his weight around a little, laying some solid bodychecks and playing with some grit that hasn't necessarily been his MO in past seasons. Ritchie returns to the ice this season after spending nearly 3/4 of last season sidelined with a broken leg so his willingness to play physical is a reassuring sign the centre is back with flying colours.

No doubt, Don MacGillivray and his coaching staff will be keeping a focus on the Wheat Kings taking needless penalties after the parade to the box continued on Thursday. Assistant coach Mark Derlago addressed it in his post game comments - they want the Wheat Kings to play physical because it is a strength on this roster, but stick infractions and "dumb" penalties need to be reduced.

Nobody looked better on the Wheat Kings' penalty kill last game than 20-year old forward, Reid Perepeluk. Perepeluk was a disruption in the Broncos' end on more than one occasion, creating chances for his team on the kill and laying the body whenever he got the chance. The 20-year old scored a beautiful short handed goal to put the game out of reach from Swift Current and showed energy for the full 60 minutes, something the Wheat Kings will need from the overager throughout their time in the hub.

The Wheat Kings also expect to see Ridly Greig back in the lineup after the NHL first rounder served a 3-game suspension for checking from behind in the Wheat Kings' season opener.

The puck drops at 9:00 PM CDT between the Wheat Kings at Pats and can be watched on the WHL's streaming service, WHL Live ( www.watch.chl.ca ) or heard on Q Country 91.5 FM.

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