WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheat Kings Hit Alberta

Published on April 5, 2012 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Edmonton, AB. -- Fresh off a first round upset of the Calgary Hitmen in the Western Hockey League playoffs, the Brandon Wheat Kings arrive in Alberta's capital today, looking to continue their post-season winning ways this weekend against the Oil Kings.

The best of seven Eastern Conference Semi-Final series between the two "Kings" will begin this weekend with games Friday and Saturday nights at Rexall Place, before shifting to Brandon's Westman Place for games three and four on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

When Brandon hits the ice at the Keystone Centre for game three next week, the Wheat Kings will be playing their first game there since the team's final regular season game on March 17th. Due to the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, the Wheat Kings were forced to take their playoff show on the road for the opening round of play.

Needless to say, members of the team, who won all three of their first round "home" games at Winnipeg's MTS Centre, are looking forward to getting the chance to play in Brandon.

"It feels good, finally coming back home," veteran left-winger Michael Ferland told Rob Henderson of the Brandon Sun this past week when the team practiced at Westman Place. "It's been a while and I always love skating on our own ice."

Friday night's game in Edmonton will be the first for both teams in over a week. While the Wheat Kings clinched their first round series against the Hitmen last Thursday, the Oil Kings swept the defending champion Kootenay Ice. After enjoying a couple of days off, both teams have been back at it since Sunday. Brandon will have one final practice later today at Rexall in preparation for the series opener.

The Oil Kings, who led the league during the regular season with a 50-15-3-4 record won three of four games against Brandon during their season series. Calgary won three of four against the Wheat Kings during the regular season, only to lose the opening round playoff four games to one.

With the Keystone Centre box office closed Good Friday and Easter Sunday, western Manitoba hockey fans have today, Saturday (9-4 pm), Monday and Tuesday to purchase tickets to next week's playoff games. To order - fans can visit the Keystone Centre box office, order online at ticketmaster.ca or by calling 726-3555.

As of 5pm Wednesday, just over 2,000 tickets had been sold for games three and four in Brandon. On the subject of tickets, the hockey club is also reminding its Season Ticket holders that their 2012 Playoff Packages are available to be picked up all day Thursday at the Wheat Kings' office.

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