WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheat Kings Edge Ice in Winnipeg

Published on December 18, 2019 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Winnipeg, MB. - For the first time since the opening weekend of the 2019-20 Western Hockey League regular season the Brandon Wheat Kings have climbed back to the .500 mark.

The Wheat Kings did it Tuesday night by coming from behind in the third period to edge the hometown ICE 4-3, snapping Winnipeg's home ice winning streak at eight.

Braden Schneider - back from the National Junior Selection Camp - scored the game winner with 1:49 remaining in regulation time as the Wheat Kings improved to 15-15-1-2 on the season.

The Wheat Kings, who led 2-1 after forty minutes, saw their lead slip away when the ICE scored back to back goals to grab their first lead of the game midway through the third.

Cue the comeback.

Cole Reinhardt's team leading 22nd goal of the season - on the powerplay - tied the score and set the stage for Schneider's game winner, which came after he jumped on an offensive zone giveaway and slapped a shot past Ice netminder Liam Hughes.

The Wheat Kings enter the Christmas break having not lost in regulation in December and have moved to within six points of the ICE, who currently occupy second place in the WHL's Eastern Division.

Winners of four of six games between the provincial rivals, the Wheat Kings will now break for Christmas before taking on Winnipeg in a home and home series to start the unofficial second half of the campaign.

"I liked our resiliency, the way you look at it, it's not an easy game to play," Wheat Kings assistant coach Mark ‚¬Ë†Derlago told Q Country's Branden Crowe post-game. "Guys whether they like it or not they might be looking ahead to the break and we were down one light and guys stuck with it and ended up with a win so we're happy with that."

Marcus Sekundiak and Ben McCartney also scored for the Wheat Kings on Tuesday while Connor McClennon fired two in a losing cause for the ICE, who outshot Brandon 32-20.

20-year old netminder Jiri Patera finished the night with 29 saves and was chosen the game's first star.

Both teams will renew their rivalry on Friday, December 27th when the Wheat Kings host Winnipeg at Westoba Place.

Tickets to the game, presented by the Murray Auto Centre, are on sale now at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling 726-3555 or online at keystonecentre.com

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 18, 2019


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