Sports stats



WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheaties Primed for Playoff Run

March 20, 2008 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, Manitoba -- In order to advance in this year's Western Hockey League playoffs, the Brandon Wheat Kings know that they will need to have some success away from home.

The Wheat Kings, who kick off their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series in Lethbridge Friday night, enter this year's playoffs as the number six seed and with the Hurricanes holding home ice advantage, Brandon needs to win at least one road game in this series in order to move into the second round of post-season play.

Brandon was 16-15-2-3 on the road this season and will be looking to snap a 6-game losing streak (0-4-1-1) on the road while the 'Canes compiled a 22-10-1-3 record on home ice.

At home, however, its been a different story for the Wheat Kings, who begin post-season play riding a 6-game winning streak and winners of eleven of their last 13 (11-1-1-0) at Westman Communications Group Place.

"Lethbridge has had a real strong year...they've got a good team," says Brandon coach and general manager Kelly McCrimmon. "We expect them to be a real challenge."

The Hurricanes, who were 45-21-2-4 this season, enter the playoffs as one of the league's most consistent clubs. Lethbridge finished third in the conference in goals scored (245), second in goals against (175) and compiled an impressive 23-11-1-1 record on the road during the regular season.

Following game two Saturday, the series will shift to Brandon for games three, four and five (if necessary) at Westman Communications Group Place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday nights.

Both teams enter the series facing the real possibility of missing veteran defencemen. While Brandon's Chad Erb and Theran Yeo remain out, the Hurricanes have been playing the past three weeks without Jesse Craige. Both Craig and Erb are skating again but their status is unknown for the opening round series.

One defenceman that will be taking to the ice for Friday's series opener is 21-year old Brandon captain Daryl Boyle. The 4-year Lethbridge product was named to the WHL's Eastern Conference Second All Star Team on Wednesday, three days after being chosen Brandon's MVP, Top Defenceman and Top Graduating Player for the 2007-08 campaign.

16-year old rookie Brayden Schenn meanwhile was named the Eastern Conference Finalist for WHL Rookie of the Year honours after leading all first year players in scoirng this season with 28 goals and 71 points in 66 games.

In other news, the Wheat Kings have added a player to their playoff roster. 16-year old netminder Graham Hildebrand, who made one regular season appearance for the Wheat Kings, has joined veteran Joe Caligiuri and rookie Andrew Hayes.

"We wanted to add a third goaltender here for the playoffs to give us some insurance there," McCrimmon told CKLQ's Bruce Luebke on Wednesday. "It'll also give Graham the opportunity to gain some experience at playoff time."

Hildebrand posted a stellar 2.30 goals against average and a .918 save percentage in 29 games for the Beardy's Blackhawks of the Saskatchewan AAA Midget Hockey League.

Friday's game is an 8 p.m. (CST) start, with the pre-game show on CKLQ beginning at 7:45 p.m.

Tickets to games three and four in Brandon are on sale now at the Keystone box office. However, the box office will be closed on Good Friday, re-open Saturday and open from 9-4 p.m. Easter Sunday. Fans can also order by phone at 726-3555 or online at ticketmaster.ca

Check out the Brandon Wheat Kings Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Western Hockey League message board...

Western Hockey League Stories from March 20, 2008


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.

Other Recent Brandon Wheat Kings Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central