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WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheat Kings to Host Warriors; Teddy Bear Toss Night

December 12, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, MB. - The Brandon Wheat Kings look to close out a 4-game Western Hockey League home stand on a winning note Friday night when they play host to Moose Jaw in the annual Teddy Bear and Toque Toss Night at Westoba Place.

Losers of back to back overtime shootout decisions to Kamloops and Kelowna, the Wheat Kings are 1-0-0-2 through the first three games of the home stand. However, after losing three of their first home games this season they've now managed to collect at least a point in seven of their last eight games, improving their home ice record to 6-6-1-2.

The Wheat Kings, who will close out their pre-Christmas schedule with a game against the ICE in Winnipeg on Tuesday, begin the weekend sitting in fourth place in the WHL's Eastern Division with a record of 13-15-1-2. At 29 points, they're two points back of third place Saskatoon and eight ahead of the fifth place Warriors, who currently enjoy four games in hand on Brandon.

The Warriors meanwhile are 10-16-1-0 and have lost nine of their last ten games. However, Moose Jaw is coming off a dramatic overtime win over the visiting Kamloops Blazers on Tuesday and the Warriors currently lead the season series with Brandon, having won back to back games in September.

While the Wheat Kings debuted two new players - defenceman Rylan Thiessen and forward Marcus Kallionkieli - this past week, the Warriors expect to have 15-year old Denton Mateychuk in the lineup Friday night. He was Moose Jaw's first round selection (11th overall) in this year's WHL Bantam Draft in Red Deer. The defenceman currently has five goals and 15 points with the Eastman Selects this season.

Thiessen was acquired from Lethbridge last week in exchange for a sixth round bantam draft choice while Kallionkieli, who was the Wheat Kings first pick in last June's Canadian Hockey League Bantam Draft, joined the WHL club this week after recovering from surgery in Las Vegas.

Entering the weekend, Cole Reinhardt currently leads the Wheat Kings in scoring this season with nineteen goals and 31 points while former Warrior Luka Burzan has thirty. 17-year old Ridly Greig meanwhile has scored in back to back games and has now collected a point in nine of his last 11 games.

During the 2-game season series so far, Ryder Korczak leads the Warriors with a goal and five points while Burzan and Ben McCartney have Brandon's two goals.

Fans attending Friday night's game are encouraged to bring a new, wrapped teddy bear, stuffed animal or toque and when the Wheat Kings score their first goal they can litter the ice with them.

All donations collected will be delivered to the Local Christmas Cheer Board by Santa himself, who has promised to make the trip from the North Pole to help the Wheat Kings and Shoppers Mall this night.

Tickets to Friday night's game can be purchased at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling (204) 726-3555 or online at keystonecentre.com

Speaking of tickets, thanks to the generous support of four participating sponsors, all K-4 students within the Brandon School Division have received complimentary vouchers (good for free admission) for this game. The four include Beaver Bus Lines, Motel 6, Brandon Sun and Memories Chapel.

Brandon won't play at home again until Friday, December 27th when the ICE pay a visit.

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