WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheat Kings Beat Ams; Drop Goalie

Published on October 11, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, Manitoba -- The Brandon Wheat Kings closed out a 4-game Western Hockey League homestand Friday night with a 5-1 victory over the visiting Tri-City Americans at Westman Communications Group Place.

The Wheat Kings scored five unanswered goals - three in the second period and two in the third - to snap a 2-game losing streak and even their early season record at 4-4-0.

Veteran Andrew Clark led the winners with his team leading fifth goal of season. He also added an assist. Singles came off the sticks of Sanfred King, Brayden Schenn, Matt McCue and Aaron Lewadniuk.

Netminder Andrew Hayes outdueled Tri-City's Chet Pickard, turning aside 33 shots in improving his personal record to 3-2-0. A Winnipeg product, Pickard was Nashville's first round selection (18th overall) in last June's National Hockey League Entry Draft.

In other Wheat Kings' news, the hockey club has designated 19-year old goalkeeper Joe Caligiuri for assignment and they will attempt to work out a trade for the 3-year WHL veteran. The move leaves the Wheat Kings with two goalkeepers on their roster - Hayes and newly acquired 17-year old James Priestner.

Caligiuri appeared in two games this season, compiling a 1-1-0 record, a 4.03 goals against average and an .857 save percentage. A tenth round pick of the Wheat Kings in the 2004 Bantam Draft, Caligiuri appeared in 54 games last winter and posted an impressive 2.73 goals against average, 30 victories and four shutouts.

A popular member of the Wheat Kings' CIBC Read to Succeed Team, Caligiuri was last year's winner of the McDonalds Frank King Memorial Trophy for being chosen the team's Most Community Minded Player.

The Wheat Kings kick off a 2-game Thanksgiving Long Weekend road trip Sunday in Red Deer. Brandon will play in Edmonton on Monday, before returning home for two home games next weekend, beginning Friday night vs. Portland.

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 11, 2008


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