Wheat Kings Score Win Over Blades
January 10, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release
Brandon, Manitoba -- The gap between the top two teams in the Western Hockey League's Eastern Division got a little tighter Friday night as the Brandon Wheat Kings came from behind to score a dramatic 4-3 Overtime victory ove the visiting Saskatoon Blades at Westman Communications Group Place.
Colby Robak's powerplay goal at the 24 second mark of overtime was the difference as the Wheat Kings ran their winning streak to six games and moved to within three points of the front running Blades in the process.
Trailing 3-1 after forty minutes of play, the Wheat Kings dominated the third period, outshooting Saskatoon 13-7 and scoring two unanswered goals to force the game into extra time.
Andrew Clark scored twice and captain Keith Aulie added a single for the Wheat Kings, who improved their record to 26-13-2-1. Clark's second goal of the game - at the 30 second mark of the third period - earned $5,000 for Trista Wenger of Brandon in the Keg Steakhouse and Bar Golden Goal Contest.
Wenger became the second $5,000 winner at Westman Place during the 2008-09 WHL campaign.
Friday night marked the return of Aulie to the Brandon lineup. The 19-year old Rouleau, Saskatchewan product missed the previous nine games as he was in Ottawa, helping Team Canada win its fifth straight World Junior Hockey Championship. Well over 4,500 fans in attendance at the game gave the popular Brandon defenceman a standing ovation during a special pre-game on ice ceremony that featured Wheat Kings' owner, general manager and head coach Kelly McCrimmon, Brandon Mayor Dave Burgess and Brandon East MLA Drew Caldwell, representing the Province of Manitoba.
Darian Dziurzynski, Gaelan Patterson and Josh Nicholls replied for the Blades, who were outshot 36-24.
Brandon netminder Andrew Hayes made 21 saves in extending his personal winning streak to seven games.
The Wheat Kings will close out this weekend's mini 2-game home stand Saturday night against the visiting Edmonton Oil Kings, who kicked off their weekend with a 3-1 victory Friday night in Moose Jaw.
Tickets to Saturday night's game are on sale at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling 726-3555 or online at ticketmaster.ca
The Brandon - Edmonton game is one of ten on tap in the WHL on what promises to be a busy Saturday for general managers around the league. 4 p.m. CST is the WHL's 2009 Trade Deadline.
Western Hockey League Stories from January 10, 2009
- Americans Double Up Hawks 6-3 - Tri-City Americans
- Blades Defeat Warriors 10-1 - Saskatoon Blades
- Oil Kings Match Season High Four-Game Winning Streak - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Kelowna Rockets Acquire Ian Duval - Kelowna Rockets
- Bruins Make Trio of Moves on Deadline Day - Chilliwack Bruins
- Oil Kings Stand Pat At WHL Trade Deadline And Re-assign One Player - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Pats Quiet on Trade Deadline Day - Regina Pats
- Trade Deadline Deals - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Spokane Makes Roster Moves - Spokane Chiefs
- Kelowna Rockets Acquire Ian Duval - Kelowna Rockets
- Left Winger Brent Martin Re-assigned - Prince Albert Raiders
- Broncos Acquire Negrin, Stickland from Kootenay - Swift Current Broncos
- Americans Reassign Defenseman Cam Stevens - Tri-City Americans
- Brandl's Rights Dealt to Portland - Prince Albert Raiders
- Tribe Continues Youth Movement - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Kelowna Rockets Acquire A New Goalie - Kelowna Rockets
- Broncos Move Guggenberger to Kelowna - Swift Current Broncos
- Giants Crush Ice - Vancouver Giants
- Wheat Kings Score Win Over Blades - Brandon Wheat Kings
- More WHL trades to report - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Oil Kings Winning Streak Up To Three After Win In Moose Jaw - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Americans Hand T'birds First Loss at ShoWare Center - Tri-City Americans
- Americans Sneak By T-Birds in Shootout - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Silvertips Defeat Cougars In Shootout Thriller - Everett Silvertips
- Blazers Get Past Bruins in Shootout - Kamloops Blazers
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