Raiders Cut into Brandon Lead

December 20, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release

Prince Albert, SK. - The Brandon Wheat Kings closed out their pre-Christmas schedule Saturday night by dropping a 5-2 decision to the hometown Prince Albert Raiders.

With the win, Prince Albert moved to within two points of the front running Wheat Kings in the Western Hockey League's Eastern Division.

One night after scoring three first period goals en route to a win in Swift Current, the Wheat Kings surrendered three unanswered goals in the opening period on Saturday and never recovered.

Kolten Olynek, Jesse Lees, Brendan Guhle, Jordan Tkatch and Luke Coleman - into an empty net - scored for the winners while Reid Duke and Tyler Coulter replied for Brandon. Coulter's second period shorthanded goal extended his career high point scoring streak to eight games.

"I thought they were more determined, and I thought they put us on our heals a bit,"Brandon assistant coach David Anning told Bruce Luebke on CKLQ's post-game show. "Our energy and our competitiveness wasn't there and it took as 20 minutes to regroup. When you have a tough start, you have to do a better job of digging in and making sure you keep it a one-goal game and work your way through the period and I don't think we did a very good job of that."

Brandon enters the weeklong Christmas break with a record of 21-11-1-2.

The Wheat Kings played Saturday's game without all stars Ivan Provorov, Jayce Hawryluk and John Quenneville as all three continue to prepare for what they hope will be an appearance for their respective national teams at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships in Finland.

The Wheat Kings return to action Sunday, December 27th against Regina at Westman Communications Group Place. Puck drop will be 4pm.

Western Hockey League Stories from December 20, 2015

• Hitmen Defenceman Travis Sanheim Named to Canada's World Junior Team - Calgary Hitmen
• Chartier Among Seven WHL Players Named to Canada's National Junior Roster - Kelowna Rockets
• Seven WHL Players Named to Canada's National Junior Team - WHL
• Royals' Joe Hicketts Named to Canada's National Junior Team - Victoria Royals
• Blazers Shutout Broncos 3-0 - Kamloops Blazers
• Keegan Kolesar Signs with Columbus Blue Jackets - Seattle Thunderbirds
• Raiders Cut into Brandon Lead - Brandon Wheat Kings
• Dewar's Teddy Bear Goal not Enough for Silvertips - Everett Silvertips
• Chiefs Tie Game Three Times Before Winning in Overtime, 5-4 - Spokane Chiefs
• Americans Fall to Thunderbirds 6-3 - Tri-City Americans
• T-Birds in First at Holiday Break - Seattle Thunderbirds
• Benson Lifts Giants Past Silvertips - Vancouver Giants
• Royals Fall to Cougars - Victoria Royals
• Bukarts Has Hat Trick, But Winterhawks Fall 5-4 in OT in Spokane Saturday - Portland Winterhawks

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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