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WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheat Kings To Face Stiff Test

November 14, 2008 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, Manitoba -- The Brandon Wheat Kings will be looking to do something Friday night that not many clubs have had success doing this season when they play host to the Calgary Hitmen at Westman Place.

Not only will the Wheat Kings be looking to improve on their 12-7-1 record, they will be out to put the brakes to Calgary's 6-game win streak. Losers of just one of their last ten games, the Hitmen enter the weekend with an impressive 19-4-1 record, good for a league leading total of 39 points.

Winners of two of their first three games on their current 7-game homestand, the Wheat Kings sit fifth in the Eastern Division. However, a successful weekend could vault Brandon to within striking distance of top spot as six points currently separates the top five teams in the division.

Friday's game is the third of a 4-game tour through the Eastern Division for the Hitmen, who are coming off Wednesday's 6-2 victory in Regina. Four Calgary veterans including Brandon product Carson McMillan are currently averaging more than a point per game. While McMillan has ten goals and 20 points in 20 games, it is 19-year old St. Louis Blues' draft choice Brett Sonne leading the club with eleven goals and 34 points in 24 games. Brandon Kozun is next with 31 points including a team leading seventeen goals.

Not only have the Hitmen been productive offensively, Calgary's WHL club is among the league leaders when it comes to goals against. Bolstered by the likes of four NHL draft picks on the blueline, the Hitmen have given up just 51 goals in 24 games. Among those defencemen are 19-year old local product Alex Plante (Edmonton) and 18-year old Michael Stone (Phoenix).

A Winnipeg product, Stone will be facing off against his younger brother Friday for the first time in their WHL careers. One of two 16-year old rookies on Brandon's current roster, Mark Stone has three goals and 5 points in fourteen games this season.

Friday is the first of back to back weekend games for the Wheat Kings, who are coming off Tuesday afternoon's 6-3 victory over the visiting Everett Silvertips. On Saturday night, Brandon will be hoping to continue its domination of U.S. based teams when it welcomes Seattle. The Wheat Kings are currently 3-0-0 against American clubs this year.

Entering Friday night's game in Regina, the T-Birds are 7-11-1-2, good for seventeen points and fourth place in the U.S. Division - six points behind the third place Silvertips.

In off ice news, the Wheat Kings and Manitoba Blue Cross will honour recent Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame inductee Reid Lumbard during Friday's game. On Saturday meanwhile, PhysioFirst will present another Saturday night Chuck-a-Puck, with proceeds going to Big Brothers and Sisters of Brandon.

Tickets to both weekend games are on sale at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling 726-3555 or online at ticketmaster.ca

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