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WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheat Kings Are Alberta Bound

November 15, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


The Wheat Kings are in Alberta this weekend for a three game road trip to face the Red Deer Rebels on Saturday (Nov. 16th), Edmonton Oil Kings on Sunday (Nov. 17th) and Medicine Hat Tigers on Tuesday (Nov. 19th). With a current record of 9 wins and 12 losses, this weekend's road trip holds the potential to get the Wheaties back to a .500 record and improve upon their 5th place ranking in the Western Hockey League's Eastern Division. This record has been earned without any considerable streaks of either kind as the Wheat Kings still haven't won or lost more than two games in a row this season.

Centreman Luka Burzan is averaging just under a point a game this season and will rejoin the team on the road after representing the WHL in the CIBC Canada Russia Series this week. Defenceman Braden Schneider also played in the two-game series and his exceptional play so far this season not only earned him a spot as one of the best players in the WHL, but also a top spot on the NHL Central Scouting's updated 'Players to Watch' list for the 2020 NHL Draft. Forwards Ridly Greig, Ben McCartney and goaltender Ethan Kruger - whose dependable play in relief of starting goalie Jiri Patera has been a bright spot this season - were also included on the list.

Facing off in Red Deer on Saturday will be the second time this season that the Wheat Kings have met with the Rebels. The last time the two played, Brandon won 5-2 at Westoba Place on November 5th. The 5-11 Rebels, who feature a physical, good sized team this season, were outclassed by the Wheat Kings who scored in each period of the game, including 3 during the second frame. However, the Rebels have beaten three top 6 teams this season in Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and most recently Prince Albert who they beat last weekend on the road in a very challenging Art Hauser arena.

The Wheat Kings will travel north for their game on Sunday against the Edmonton Oil Kings who sit atop the entire WHL with a sterling 13-3 record. The two teams last saw each other in Brandon on October 5th when the Wheat Kings outshot the Kings 40-34 but fell to Edmonton 2-1 in what was a tightly played and energetic game. After Marcus Sekundiak hit a post in the first period and Ben McCartney had a disallowed goal in the second, the Wheat Kings found themselves down 2 goals in the dwindling moments of the game. They were able to score with an extra attacker on the ice to make it 2-1 before once again gaining the offensive zone, but time ran out. After winning seven games straight in October, the Oil Kings have since lost 2 of their last 3 games - something the Wheat Kings will hope to take advantage of come Sunday at 4:00 pm MST.

Before returning to Manitoba the Wheat Kings will stop in Medicine Hat on Tuesday to play the only other team who currently has more franchise wins in the WHL than Brandon. In their last home game against the Winnipeg Ice the Wheat Kings tallied their 1,800th WHL win in franchise history, second only to Medicine Hat who holds 1,801. Even though they may be neck-and-neck historically, the Tigers hold a better record this season at 12-6, good for a 6th place ranking in the WHL. The Tigers have had no trouble finding the net this season as their top three centres have all collected more than 20 points so far, one being nineteen year-old Ryan Chyzowski who joined Schneider and Burzan on Team WHL in the Canada Russia Series. Chyzowski's 10 goals and 22 points in 19 games is second on his team only to James Hamblin who has collected 12 goals and 28 points so far. The Wheat Kings will hope to contain The Tigers who are 5-2 at home this season before getting back to Westoba Place for a two-game homestand the following weekend.

Tickets to next weekend's games against the Calgary Hitmen and Regina Pats are on sale, you can purchase them by visiting the Keystone Centre box office, calling 204-726-3555 or by visiting keystonecentre.com/tickets.DrnzZD

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