Wheat Kings Ground Rockets

December 13, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release

Brandon, MB. - The Brandon Wheat Kings picked an opportune time to play one of their best games of the season on Saturday.

The Wheat Kings jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead, scored three more in the second and cruised to an impressive 5-1 victory over the defending Western Hockey League Champion Kelowna Rockets in the club's Annual Teddy Bear Toss Night.

With the win, which came before close to 4,800 fans at Westman Communications Group Place, coupled with Prince Albert's 5-2 loss to Kamloops, propelled the Wheat Kings into first place in the Eastern Division with a record of 19-10-1-2.

Fresh off Friday's 5-3 loss to Lethbridge, the Wheat Kings came out flying Saturday, outshooting the Rockets 25-10 in the first and dominated from start to finish.

Veteran Tyler Coulter got things going when he deflected a Kale Clague point shot past Kelowna's Jackson Whistle at the 7:30 mark of the opening frame. The goal - his fourth of the season - sent Westman Place into a frenzy as fans littered the ice with stuffed animals, toques and mittens as the Wheat Kings and Shoppers Mall presented the Annual Teddy Bear and Toque Toss, in support of the Local Christmas Cheer Registry.

Coulter was one of four local products to score in this one. Also finding the net were former AAA Midget Wheat Kings Connor Gutenberg, Ty Lewis and Tanner Kaspick, who was chosen the Manitoba Blue Cross 1st Star of the game.

Former Saskatoon Blade Garrett Armour - with his first as a Wheat King - rounded out the scoring for the Wheat Kings, who outshot the Rockets 41-26 in what was the first game between the two teams since Kelowna defeated Brandon in last spring's WHL Championship Final.

Lucas Johansen scored in a losing cause for the Rockets, who continues to lead the Western Conference with a record of 23-7-1.

The Wheat Kings will now close out their 3-game home stand Wednesday against Kamloops.

Wednesday is the first of two Rain Check Games of the season, meaning fans can exchange any unused tickets at the box office for a "free" ticket to this game (regular box office agency fees apply). Fans can also purchase at the box office, online at keystonecentre.com or by calling 726-3555.

Western Hockey League Stories from December 13, 2015

• Oil Kings Can't Snap Skid with 5-4 Loss to Tigers - Edmonton Oil Kings
• Hitmen Win 5-2 over Rebels - Red Deer Rebels
• Royals Topped by Giants - Victoria Royals
• Porter Leads Hitmen to 5-2 Win over Rebels - Calgary Hitmen
• Giants Double Royals 4-2 - Vancouver Giants
• "We Didn't Care How It Got Done." - Saskatoon Blades
• Pats Succumb to Saskatoon in Shootout - Regina Pats
• Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Sunday, December 13 at Red Deer - Calgary Hitmen
• Bajkov Leads Silvertips over Seattle 4-1 - Everett Silvertips
• Blazers Win 5-2 in Prince Albert - Kamloops Blazers
• Rockets Fall to Brandon 5-1 - Kelowna Rockets
• Royals Trump Giants - Victoria Royals
• Tigers Win on Teddy Bear Night - Medicine Hat Tigers
• Game 31: December 13 vs. Edmonton - Medicine Hat Tigers
• Chiefs Fans Send 6,384 Teddy Bears Flying on Saturday - Spokane Chiefs
• Wheat Kings Ground Rockets - Brandon Wheat Kings
• Silvertips Skate Past T-Birds - Seattle Thunderbirds
• Americans Outlast Chiefs 4-3 - Tri-City Americans
• Royals Down Giants 6-1 - Vancouver Giants

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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