WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheat Kings Take 3-0 Lead

March 24, 2010 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Regina, SK -- The Brandon Wheat Kings used a big third period and some solid netminding from Jacob DeSerres to beat the Swift Current Broncos 5-2 Tuesday night to grab a commanding 3-0 lead in their Western Hockey League Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series.

Playing in front of just 1,473 fans at the Brandt Centre in Regina, the Wheat Kings scored three unanswered third period goals en route to the win, pushing the Broncos to the brink of elimination in their best of seven opening round playoff series.

A 19-year old Calgary product and former third round draft choice of the National Hockey League's Philadelphia Flyers, DeSerres made 35 saves, including fifteen in the final period for the Wheat Kings, who got third period goals from Alexander Urbom, Matt Calvert and Brayden Schenn.

Schenn finished the game with two goals and 4 points to lead the Wheat Kings, while Aaron Lewadniuk rounded out the scoring for Brandon.

"He (Schenn) likes to hang on, likes to pass, likes to find the open man and yet the two goals he scored tonight we just tremendous shots," Brandon GM/Coach Kelly McCrimmon told Bruce Luebke on CKLQ's post-game show. "He hit another post on a power-play on a partial breakaway.he was real strong tonight and played excellent for our team."

Justin Dowling and Brad Hoban scored in a losing cause for the Broncos, who wiped out a 2-0 first period deficit with two second period goals, setting the stage for Urbom's game winner at the 8:49 mark of the third. For the 19-year old Swedish defenceman, it was his first ever WHL playoff goal.

Game four of the series goes Wednesday night in Regina, with game five (if necessary) scheduled for Friday night at Westman Place.

The Broncos have been forced to play this week's games in Regina as the City of Swift Current is playing host to the 2010 World Womens Curling Championship.

In other Western League playoff news, the WHL has come down on hard on the Saskatoon Blades following Sunday night's line brawl in game two of their series with Red Deer.

While the Blades were fined over $4,000, the league haded three players - Darian Dziurzynski, Duncan Siemens and Sena Acolatse - with three game suspensions, Randy McNaught was given a 5-game penalty and Saskatoon coach and general manager Lorne Molleken was slapped with a four game suspension for his part in the incident that marred the team's 4-0 victory in game two.

Meanwhile Red Deer's Josh Cowen will miss the next four games for receiving a 5-minute charging major and game misconduct for his hit on Saskatoon netminder Steven Stanford.

The Blades, without their head coach and general manager, will be hoping to take a commanding 3-0 lead in their series when the two teams face off Wednesday night in Red Deer.

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 24, 2010


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