WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheat Kings Look to Snap Winless Skid Friday

Published on January 31, 2020 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Calgary, AB. - The Brandon Wheat Kings open up the back half of their 4-game in five night Alberta road trip Friday night with a game against the Hitmen in Calgary.

The Wheat Kings, who had a 10-game winning streak snapped by Lethbridge last Saturday night, have lost back to back games to start the trip, including a disappointing 5-4 loss to the Rebels in Red Deer on Wednesday night.

Brandon currently occupies third place in the Western Hockey League's Eastern Division, five points back of both Prince Albert and Winnipeg, with a record of 25-19-2-2. The Wheat Kings are just two up on fourth place Saskatoon and the second Wild Card Spot in the Conference.

Despite losses in Red Deer and Edmonton to start the trip, Brandon enters the weekend, which concludes Saturday night in Medicine Hat, with a record of 9-6-2-0 vs Central Division clubs this season.

Friday night is the third meeting of the year between these two clubs, with each team winning once so far, but it's the first of the season in Calgary. The two teams will close out their season series on February 28th.

The Hitmen meanwhile have won four straight games, including Wednesday's win over Winnipeg. Tonight is the fourth game of a busy 5-game home stand for the Hitmen, who are currently occupy the first Wild Card spot with a record of 26-15-4-1.

The clubs most recent meeting came two weeks ago in Brandon when Brandon skated to a 3-1 win thanks to some outstanding netminding by Jiri Patera and the Wheat Kings defensive play. They held Calgary's top offensive contributors off the scoresheet and will need to do the same again Friday night in order to be successful.

"We have to get back to checking," Brandon coach Dave Lowry told the media after Wednesday's loss in Red Deer. "When we check and defend the right way we win hockey games. The last two goals we gave up are not characteristic of our hockey team and those are the things we talk about fixing."

While veteran Ben McCartney leads the club in scoring this month, second year center Ridly Greig may be the hottest Wheat King of late. The 17-year old Lethbridge product, who is expected to be chosen in June's National Hockey League Draft, has seven goals and 15 points in his last ten games.

Meanwhile defenceman Chad Nychuk comes into play tonight riding a 5-game point scoring streak and captain Connor Gutenberg will be playing in his 298th career WHL game.

Following Saturday's game against the Tigers, the Wheat Kings will return home to the friendly confines of Westoba Place for a Friday night date with Medicine Hat to close out the 4-game season series.

Friday night's game is WHL Suits up to Promote Organ Donation, in support of the Kidney Foundation, presented by RE/MAX.

The Wheat Kings will be playing the game in special Hockey Night in Canada theme jerseys, which will be auctioned off before and during the game on the arena concourse.

As well, the first 3,000 fans in attendance will have a chance to take home one of 1,000 HNIC bobbleheads.

Tickets to Friday's game as well as all remaining home games are on sale at the Keystone Centre box office but due to this weekend's Dakota Nation Winterfest, fans are encouraged to call (204) 726-3555 or order their tickets online at keuystonecentre.com.

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 31, 2020


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