WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheaties Host Swift Current on Friday

Published on February 2, 2006 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


GAME NOTES: The WHEAT KINGS will be hoping to snap a 3-game winless (0-2-0-1) streak Friday night when they play host to the SWIFT CURRENT BRONCOS for the second time in less than two weeks.Back on January 21st, the BRONCOS came from behind to beat the WHEAT KINGS 3-2 in overtime at the Keystone Centre.Friday's game is the second of a 5-game home stand that began Wednesday night with a disappointing 6-2 decision to the KAMLOOPS BLAZERS.KAMLOOPS scored three first period goals and two more in the second en route to the win.MARK DERLAGO and captain TEEGAN MORE replied for the WHEAT KINGS, who failed to put some distance between themselves and the PRINCE ALBERT RAIDERS for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Western Hockey League's Eastern Division.Before Wednesday night, the WHEAT KINGS had gone out west for a 4-game road trip, collecting five of a possible eight points and going 2-1-0-1 in the process.Before dropping a 2-1 decision in RED DEER last Saturday, the WHEAT KINGS had managed to collect at least a point in six straight games.Wednesday's game also marked the first time in eight games that the WHEATS have not been involved in a close 1-goal game.BRANDON enters Friday's game with a record of 18-25-5-3.After winning five straight games on home ice, the WHEATS have now lost back to back games at the Keystone Centre.However, overall they're currently 11-8-4 at home.On the road, they're 7-17-1-3.BRANDON is coming off two straight "winning months" to put themselves back in the playoff chase.The WHEATS were 7-4-2-1 in the month of January.In their last ten games, BRANDON is 4-3-1-2 and have compiled a 13-9-2-1 record since the end of November, which is the best record of any Eastern Division club during that time.Following tonight's game, the WHEAT KINGS will have a few days to prepare for a 2-game series against LETHBRIDGE, beginning Wednesday night at the MTS Centre in WINNIPEG.

VS. BRONCOS: This is the fourth meeting of the 2005-06 season between these two clubs.BRANDON is currently 1-0-2-0 vs. SWIFT CURRENT this season, after compiling a .500 record (2-2-1) against the BRONCOS during the 2004-05 campaign.Leading the WHEAT KINGS in scoring in this year's season series is RYAN REAVES and ANDREW CLARK, with three points each.KURT JORY has posted a 2.77 goals against average while TYLER PLANTE has compiled a 4.43 goals against mark against SWIFT CURRENT this year.

BOYLE NETS MONTHLY HONOUR: 18-year old defenceman DARYL BOYLE has been chosen the TIP TOP TAILORS WHEAT KING Player of the Month for January.In 14 games last month, the Lethbridge product was 1-4-5 and led the club with a plus 6 ranking.In winning the award, BOYLE edged out FLORIDA PANTHERS' second round draft choice TYLER PLANTE.

WHO HAS BEEN HOT? In registering back to back victories during the first half of last week's 4-game western road swing, TYLER PLANTE has improved his goals against average to 3.54 and his save percentage to .901. During the month of January, the 2005 WHL Rookie of the Year compiled a 2.20 goals against average and a .922 save percentage.Newly acquired blueliner DUSTIN KOHN is 0-6-6 in eleven games since coming over from the CALGARY HITMEN. BRANDON is 5-3-1-2 since obtaining the NEW YORK ISLANDERS' second round draft choice.TYLER DITTMER is currently 14th in Rookie scoring in the WHL.COREY COURCHENE has five goals in his last seven games.CODEY BURKI leads the club in scoring with seventeen goals and 37 points.Finnish forward SAMI SANDELL leads the club with 21 assists this year.TEEGAN MOORE is 2-2-4 in his last four games.

MILESTONES: 2004-05 WHL Rookie of the Year TYLER PLANTE eclipsed the 5,000 minute mark in his WHEAT KING career during last week's win in KAMLOOPS.With fifteen goals and 31 points this season, TEEGAN MOORE has established career highs for both.

BRANDON BITS: BRANDON is 9-16-0 in one-goal games this season and 5-5-3 in overtime.On the mend - TYLER STRAUTMAN (shoulder).BRANDON has lost 154 man games to injury during the 2005-06 campaign.DUSTIN KOHN leads the club with a +8 ranking followed by RILEY DAY at +7.WHEAT KINGS currently have three players with over 100 penalty minutes - DAY (131), COREY COURCHENE (116) and THERAN YEO (108).WHEAT KINGS are currently averaging 3,100 fans per home game.CODEY BURKI has captured the second segment in the WHEAT KINGS' MOLSON CUP 3 STAR PROGRAM.Friday's game is TURN BACK THE CLOCK NIGHT at the Keystone Centre as the WHEAT KINGS will be 'donning jerseys made famous by the likes of BILL DERLAGO, BRAD MCCRIMMON, BRIAN PROPP and DAVE SEMENKO during the team's glory years of the late seventies.Performing the ceremonial opening face-off will be ex-WHEAT KING captain KEVIN CHEVELDAYOFF - a former first round draft choice of the NHL's NEW YORK ISLANDERS, who is currently serving as general manager of the American Hockey League's CHICAGO WOLVES.

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