WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheaties-Tigers brief playoff history

Published on April 1, 2004 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Medicine Hat, Alberta - When the Brandon Wheat Kings take to the ice in Medicine Hat on Friday night for game one of their Western Hockey League Eastern Conference semi-finals, they will be facing off against the Tigers - in the playoffs - for the first time in eleven years and only the fourth time ever.

Winners of ten of 12 games since general manager Kelly McCrimmon replaced Mike Kelly behind the Brandon bench, the Wheat Kings will be hoping that history doesn't repeat itself in this series.

In eight previous playoff games between the two teams, Brandon has won just one game. That victory came in March 1993 when the Wheat Kings kicked off the best of five opening round series with a 3-2 victory over the Tigers at the Keystone Centre. The Tigers, led by the likes of Stacy Roest, Mike Rathje and David Cooper, roared back to win the next three games to capture the series in four.

After defeating Lethbridge in the opening round of the '83-84 WHL playoffs, Brandon was eliminated during the Eastern Conference round robin series, posting an 0-4-0 record against Regina and the Tigers. That club featured all stars Ray Ferraro, Ron Hextall and Cam Plante as well as current Wheat Kings' assistant coach Brad Wells.

In '79-80, Brandon was also involved in a 3-team round robin affair, after upsetting the heavily favoured Calgary Wranglers in round one. During the 4-game round robin series, Brandon was 1-1 vs. Regina and winless in two starts against the Tigers. The captain of the '80 team was Kelly McCrimmon, who now serves as coach and general manager of the Wheat Kings.

After dominating the Tigers in recent years, Brandon won just one of five games against Medicine Hat during the regular season - compiling an overall record of 1-2-2. However, the Wheat Kings only victory came in the last meeting of the season between the two when Brandon scored an impressive 6-2 decision at the Keystone Centre on February 4th. Eric Fehr's six goals and Ryan Stone's five points led Brandon in scoring during the 5-game series with the Tigers.

Brandon is coming off an exciting 6-game series victory over the Prince Albert Raiders while the Tigers, losers of just two home games since New Years, defeated the Swift Current Broncos four games to one.

While the Tigers enter the series relatively healthy, Brandon is still without center Tyler Dyck who finished second on the club in scoring this season with 72 points including 37 goals in 72 games. The 21-year old Calgary product is questionable for games one and two with a knee injury.

Game two of the series will be played Saturday before the series shifts to Brandon's Keystone Centre for games three and four on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

Tickets are on sale now at the Keystone box office, by calling 726-3555 or on line at ticketmaster.ca.

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Western Hockey League Stories from April 1, 2004


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