WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheat Kings Off To Eastern Final

Published on April 11, 2009 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, Manitoba -- The Brandon Wheat Kings have advanced to the Western Hockey League's Eastern Conference Final.

18-year old defenceman Colby Robak picked an opportune time to score his first ever WHL hat trick Friday night, in leading the Wheat Kings to a 6-2 victory and a four game sweep of their best of seven WHL Eastern Conference Semi-Final series against the Medicine Hat Tigers.

"I don't think that I've scored three goals in a game since pee wee," the Gilbert Plains Manitoba product said after the game.

With the win before a sold out crowd of over 5,400, the Wheat Kings advance to the Eastern Final for the first time since 2005. Brandon will now meet the Calgary Hitmen, who swept the Lethbridge Hurricanes four games to nothing in their best of seven affair.

Robak's first goal - with 26 seconds remaining in the opening period - proved to be the game winner as the Wheat Kings battled back from 1-0 and 2-1 first period breaks.

Aaron Lewadniuk, Scott Glennie and Nathan Green rounded out the scoring for the Wheat Kings, who led 3-2 and 5-2 at the period breaks.

Travis Dunstall and Jace Coyle replied for the Tigers, who were outshot 34-21.

18-year old netminder Andrew Hayes, making his eighth straight playoff start, got the win for Brandon while 16-year old rookie Tyler Bunz was pulled after one period, after giving up three goals on 13 shots.

In addition to punching their ticket to the WHL's Final Four, the Wheat Kings managed to defeat the Tigers in a playoff series for the first time in franchise history. In addition to losing out to Medicine Hat in 1993 and 2004, the Wheat Kings were eliminated in two 3-team round robin playoff series in 1980 and '84.

The Wheat Kings - Hitmen series is expected to begin next weekend at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary. Dates and times will be finalized by Monday.

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Western Hockey League Stories from April 11, 2009


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