WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

T-Birds Shock Wheat Kings in Stunning Final Minute

October 18, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Two points were there for the taking for the Brandon Wheat Kings, and indeed they nearly took them. Then, in the span of 1:04, those points suddenly evaporated.

Four goals against in that span sunk the Wheat Kings as they fell 6-4 to the Seattle Thunderbirds. Roger McQueen, Brett Hyland, Dominik Petr, and Luke Shipley scored in the loss while Carson Bjarnason made 24 saves.

The Wheat Kings started well, with McQueen tipping home a power play shot by Danielson to make it 1-0. But though they outplayed the Thunderbirds in the first, a late goal by Jeremy Hanzel saw them go into the intermission tied at one.

After Nico Myatovic made it 2-1 with a snapshot off the rush, Hyland countered for the Wheat Kings, rifling home a pass from behind the net by Rylen Roersma. Then, at 4-on-3, Petr hammered home a one-timer on a feed from Danielson.

The first 18 minutes of the third favoured Brandon. They piled up 16 shots on goal and got separation when Shipley's point shot found its way through traffic.

The next two minutes, however, will be what the game is remembered for.

With 1:04 to go, Luca Hauf got a favourable bounce on the power play and snapped home the 4-3 goal. Then, with 33 seconds to go and on another power play, Hauf won a battle at the side of the net and lifted home the tying tally.

Unbelievably, the scoring continued. With only 8.8 seconds to go, the Thunderbirds won another battle down low and Brayden Cootes chopped the go-ahead goal in. An empty netter sealed the deal and completed the comeback.

The Wheat Kings have no time to dwell on the loss. They're right back to work the very next night against the Portland Winterhawks. Game time is 7:05 local time.

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 18, 2023


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