Wheat Kings Routed by Desperate Hitmen

January 26, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release

Entering the game on Friday, January 26, the Calgary Hitmen were desperately trying to gain ground in the playoff race. They vented that desperation on the Brandon Wheat Kings.

Six different Hitmen scored and they got goals both shorthanded and on the power play in an 8-0 hammering of the Wheat Kings.

The first period started badly for the Wheat Kings and only got worse. Though they killed the penalty they took 25 seconds in, it wasn't long before they were behind the eight ball as the Hitmen won a puck battle and fed the puck out front for the opening goal. Their second goal was nearly an action replay of the first, just with different players involved.

The initial shot on the third goal was stopped, but as it trickled behind Ethan Eskit, the Wheat Kings tried to clear it. Ethan Moore followed the bouncing puck to the net and tapped it home to make it 4-0. Then, Maxim Muranov beat Eskit with a bullet of a shot from a tough angle to make it 4-0.

Penalty trouble hampered the Wheat Kings early in the second. They killed off two full minutes of 5-on-3 but with only eight seconds remaining in a double minor they gave one up to Ben Kindel to deflate them a little after a mostly excellent penalty kill.

A power play in the third period turned sour for the Wheat Kings. Muranov broke away shorthanded and made a nice move to the backhand to spread the lead to 6-0. From there, the Hitmen cruised to victory, adding goals from Oliver Tulk and Carson Wetsch for good measure.

The good news for the Wheat Kings is, they can move on in a hurry and they'll have to. They face the Red Deer Rebels in Red Deer tomorrow night. Puck drop is 8:00 Central Time.

Western Hockey League Stories from January 26, 2024

• Lisowsky Pots Two, Blades Handed Shootout Loss from Raiders - Saskatoon Blades
• Wheat Kings Routed by Desperate Hitmen - Brandon Wheat Kings
• Oil Kings Doubled Up In Red Deer - Edmonton Oil Kings
• Cobra Chickens Beat Blades 5-4 in a Shootout in Spectacular Comeback Fashion - Prince Albert Raiders
• Game Day Hub: January 26 at Tri-City - Portland Winterhawks
• Game Day Preview: Game 46 at Moose Jaw - Medicine Hat Tigers
• Preview: Oil Kings at Red Deer Rebels 1.26.24 - Edmonton Oil Kings
• CHL Announces Real Canadian Superstore Freeview Schedule on CHL TV - WHL
• Cougars Kickstart Five Game Road Swing in Spokane - Prince George Cougars
• Warriors, Tigers Square off in Weekend Home-And-Home - Moose Jaw Warriors
• Danielson Settling in with Winterhawks Ahead of Home Debut - Portland Winterhawks

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