Wheat Kings Tame Broncos 4-1
March 19, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release
Brandon Wheat Kings defenceman Neithan Salame (left) takes a shot against the Swift Current Broncos
(Brandon Wheat Kings)
Regina, SK - Both the Brandon Wheat Kings and Swift Current Broncos entered their Thursday night matchup looking to bounce back after a loss, but it was the Wheat Kings who got back into the win column with a 4-1 win over the Broncos.
Nolan Ritchie scored his first of the season 7:39 into the game with the Wheat Kings on the power play, skating in on the left side and getting a sharp angle shot to take a favourable bounce off Broncos netminder Isaac Poulter.
Before the ink on the scoresheet had dried, Lynden McCallum scored his first of the 2020-21 campaign just 14 seconds later on a pass from Ritchie to give the Wheat Kings a 2-0 lead.
After penalties were a deciding factor in their 5-3 loss to the Prince Albert Raiders on Tuesday, the Wheat Kings tidied up their discipline only slightly in the 1st period Thursday, going to the box twice, but it was on their second penalty kill that the Broncos capitalized. Michael Farren found space in front of Ethan Kruger's crease with enough time to tip a point shot from Alex Moar, beating the Brandon goaltender and cutting Brandon's lead to one.
Wheat Kings Assistant Coach Mark Derlago said the key message going into intermission was staying positive despite giving up a late goal in the period.
"We didn't want to be negative going in there, we were happy with our first period. We came out, we put pucks behind them, we got a power play goal. I mean you address it, but you don't want to dwell on it. Just keep moving forward."
The second period was scoreless but Brandon suffered from penalty woes once again, going down a man four more times in the game on minor penalties.
In the third period it was 20-year old Brandon forward Reid Perepeluk with a couple of inspired shifts on the penalty kill that kept the pressure on the Broncos. Perepeluk was rewarded for his hard work at 8:30 in the third when he forced a turnover near the Broncos blueline and wired a wrist shot over the shoulder of Poulter to score his first goal of the season, short handed.
"I was just thinking 'slow down, look around where there's an opening in the net' instead of just going 100 miles an hour and just throwing it on the net" said Perepeluk.
"We had a bag skate yesterday and you know the bag skate kind of got my lungs buzzing and I felt like I could just keep going nonstop tonight".
Ritchie - who was moved up to the Wheat Kings' first line for Thursday and earned the game's first star with two goals and an assist - liked what he saw from his team despite the nagging problem of penalty troubles.
"I think we were getting on them pretty hard, working them hard in the O-zone and just finding each other tonight. It feels great to get that one off my back. I haven't scored in a while, I come to work every day, work as hard as I can to help the team get that win."
Ritchie added an empty netter to finish the game with 3 points, bumping his total to 6 points (2G-4A) so far on the season.
The Wheat Kings take Friday off before suiting up against the home team Regina Pats on Saturday at 9pm.
Scoring
1st Period
#10 Nolan Ritchie (1) scores. Assists: #22 Ben McCartney, #20 Lynden McCallum 1st 7:39
#20 Lynden McCallum (1) scores. Assists: #10 Nolan Ritchie 7:53
#16 Michael Farren (3) scores. Assists: #5 Alex Moar, #15 Raphael Pelletier 17:56
3rd Period
#28 Reid Perepeluk (1) Short Handed. Unassisted. 8:30
#10 Nolan Ritchie (2) scores. Assists: #2 Braden Schneider, #22 Ben McCartney 19:01
Images from this story
Western Hockey League Stories from March 19, 2021
- Western Hockey League Statement on COVID-19 Testing Results - WHL
- Winterhawks Broadcasts Return to Portland's CW TV - Portland Winterhawks
- First Week in Review - Winnipeg Ice
- Blazers Sign 17-Year-Old Forward Dylan Sydor - Kamloops Blazers
- Vancouver Giants Announce Roster for 2020-21 Season - Vancouver Giants
- Broncos Looking to End Slide against Moose Jaw - Swift Current Broncos
- Regina Inks Forward Tanner Howe - Regina Pats
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Friday, March 19 at Lethbridge - Calgary Hitmen
- Blades and Raiders Collide for First Time this Season - Saskatoon Blades
- Americans Return with Thrilling OT Victory - Tri-City Americans
- Slow Start Costs Broncos against Brandon - Swift Current Broncos
- Wheat Kings Tame Broncos 4-1 - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Winterhawks Earn Point on Pacific Office Automation Opening Night - Portland Winterhawks
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