WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheaties earn playoff berth

March 12, 2006 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Winnipeg, Manitoba -- For the thirteenth time in the past 14 years, the Brandon Wheat Kings are heading to the Western Hockey League playoffs.

The Wheat Kings earned the berth Saturday night with a dramatic come from behind 5-4 Overtime Shootout victory over the visiting Saskatoon Blades at Winnipeg's MTS Centre.

The win, Brandon's third straight and second in as many nights against Saskatoon, improved the Wheat Kings record to 28-31-6-4, giving them 66 points and a seven point lead on the Prince Albert Raiders - with only three games remaining in the regular season.

After Saskatoon's Devin Setoguchi and Brandon defenceman Daryl Boyle exchanged goals in the Shootout, center Jeff Topilko - the sixth Wheat King shooter - beat Blades' Russian goalkeeper Anton Khudobin for the win.

In addition to his Shootout heroics, the 19-year old Vegreville, Alberta product scored a pair of regulation time goals while singles came off the sticks of defenceman Riley Day - with .3 seconds remaining in the second period and Stephane Lenoski with just 39 seconds left in regulation time.

Winnipeg's Joe Barnes had two goals and three points for the Blades, who led 2-1 and 4-3 at the period breaks. In fact, Saskatoon led 4-1 early in the second period, only to see the Wheat Kings battle back time and time again.

Khudobin made 33 saves including four of six in the Shootout for Saskatoon while Kurt Jory stopped 21 shots in relief of starter Tyler Plante, who was pulled after giving up two first period goals. In the Shootout, Jory stopped Barnes, Wacey Rabbit, Chad Klassen, Joe Logan and Colton Gillies.

With a playoff spot secured, the Wheat Kings will close out the 2005-06 regular season this week with games against the Broncos in Swift Current on Tuesday, the visiting Regina Pats on Friday and in Moose Jaw Saturday night.

Saturday's game will be nothing more than a preliminary for the club's best of seven opening round playoff series, expected to begin Friday, March 24th in Moose Jaw. Due to the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, the Wheat Kings first two playoff home games will be played at Winnipeg's MTS Centre.

Additional information on playoff dates and ticket sales will be announced in the next few days.

Check out the Brandon Wheat Kings Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from March 12, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central