WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheat Kings Dump Broncos

November 29, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Swift Current, SK. - A big push back from Jiri Patera and the Wheat Kings Wednesday night propelled Brandon to a 5-1 victory over the defending Western Hockey League Champion Swift Current Broncos.

Five days after being lifted from the crease during an 8-4 loss to Lethbridge, the Vegas Golden Knights' prospect was at his best, turning aside 31 shots as the Wheat Kings snapped a 3-game losing streak. Three of those stops came on third period breakaways.

Luka Burzan scored twice and set up another for the Wheat Kings, who led 3-1 after forty minutes of play after both teams traded goals in the opening frame.

With the win, Brandon improved to 11-7-3-3 on the season.

Cole Reinhardt, Zach Wytinck and 16-year old rookie Ridly Greig rounded out the scoring for the Wheat Kings, who will play host to Regina on Friday night before returning to Swift Current to play the Broncos on Saturday.

Former Saskatoon Blade Alec Zawatsky replied for the Broncos, whose record slipped to 4-19-1-1.

Brandon coach David Anning said it was important for his club to get off to a good start and get a solid effort from everyone.

"Our effort needed to be better and our structure needed to be better and tonight it was a good opportunity to get back on track and I thought our team game was a lot better," Anning told Perry Bergson of the Brandon Sun. "We were a lot more organized and made the game easier on everybody. It's a step in the right direction, now we have to keep getting better. We can't be satisfied."

The Wheat Kings, who were missing forwards Lynden McCallum and Marcus Sekundiak due to injury and the flu, dressed 16-year old Nolan Ritchie for this game and while he was held pointless, he did register two shots on goal.

A third round draft choice of the Wheat Kings in 2017, Ritchie is off to a fast start with the AAA Midget Wheat Kings this season and is coming off a week that saw him earn the nod as that league's Player of the Week.

By making his WHL debut on Wednesday, Ritchie joined some pretty select company as he becomes only the eighth son of a Wheat King to wear the Brandon jersey since the club joined the Western Canada Hockey League in 1967.

Other father son combinations include Steve and Nolan Patrick, Cam and Tyler Plante, Mark and Chris Johnston, Ted and Jeff Temple, Ken and Mark Schneider, Bryan and Ron Hextall and Ted and Jason Taylor.

Ironically, Nolan's WHL debut came almost 28 years to the day that his father Darren played in his first game as a Wheat King. The elder Ritchie took to the ice in Swift Current on December 5th, 1990 and went on to a successful Western League career that saw him score 152 goals and 278 points in 232 games.

Friday's game is a presentation of Assiniboine Community College and fans attending are being encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy, food or cash donation to the Westman and Area Traditional Christmas Dinner.

Tickets to Friday's game are on sale at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling (204) 726-3555 or online at keystonecentre.com.

Check out the Brandon Wheat Kings Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from November 29, 2018


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