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WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Warriors Upend Wheat Kings

December 30, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, MB.- The Moose Jaw Warriors scored 23 seconds into the game, added a third goal with 1.7 seconds left in the opening period and went on to a 6-2 victory over the hometown Brandon Wheat Kings before over 3,700 disappointed fans at Westoba Place.

With the loss - Brandon's third since its 11-day Christmas break - the Wheat Kings record slipped to 15-13-3-3 on the season and have now lost six of their last seven games.

Moose Jaw meanwhile improved to 19-8-5-1.

The Wheat Kings were outshot badly in the first in this one, which has become a common theme in recent games.

Moose Jaw outshot Brandon 19-8 in that first and 40-29 overall.

During Brandon's three losses since Christmas, the Wheat Kings have been outscored 6-1 and outshot by a combined total of 46-16 in the first period.

Justin Almeida scored twice for the winners - who led 5-1 through forty minutes, with singles coming off the sticks of Tristan Langan, jett Woo, Kaeden Taphorn and Tate Popple.

Scoring in a losing cause for the Wheat Kings and providing one of a few bright spots for the home side was 16-year old prospect Nolan Ritchie as well as defenceman Braden Schneider. Ritchie's first period goal, which briefly tied the score at one, was his first ever Western Hockey League goal.

A former third round bantam draft choice of the Wheat Kings, Ritchie is having a brilliant season with the AAA Midget Wheat Kings of the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League.

In 28 games, Nolan has scored 58 points, including 27 goals.

Brodan Salmond turned aside 27 shots for the win while Brandon's netminding tandem of Ethan Kruger and Connor Ungar combined to make 34 saves in a losing cause.

For Kruger, Sunday's game was his fifth straight start as Jiri Patera continues to patrol the crease for his native Czech Republic at the World Junior Hockey Championships in Vancouver.

The Wheat Kings will be hoping to salvage the back half of this holiday home and home series when they travel back to Moose Jaw on Monday for a New Year's Eve date.

Brandon's next home game is Friday night - Home Depot Family Skate Night - when the Seattle Thunderbirds pay their first visit to western Manitoba in two years.

Fans attending the game will be encouraged to bring their skates and helmets and join the players on the ice following the game for a "free" public skate, presented by Q Country Radio.

Tickets to the game go back on sale Monday morning at the Keystone Centre box office, which will be closed New Year's Day. Fans can also order online at keystonecentre.com or by calling (204) 726-3555.

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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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