WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheaties to face the Raiders

Published on March 17, 2007 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, Manitoba -- For the third time in the past four years, the Brandon Wheat Kings will face off against the Prince Albert Raiders in the Western Hockey League Playoffs.

The Wheat Kings - Raiders opening round playoff series was determined Friday night when Prince Albert snapped a 5-game losing streak with a 5-0 victory over the visiting Saskatoon Blades. That win, coupled with Moose Jaw's 7-2 loss in Swift Current, earned Prince Albert the fourth and final berth in the Western Hockey League's Eastern Division and a first round date with Brandon.

Brandon met the Raiders in the 2005 Eastern Conference Finals, after defeating them four games to two in their 2004 opening round series.

The Wheat Kings, who are celebrating their second Eastern Division pennant in three years and fourth in the past six years, will open up the best of seven series next weekend with games one and two scheduled for Friday and Saturday, March 23rd and 24th at the Keystone Centre.

Tickets to the first two games are on sale now at the Keystone Centre box office. Fans can also purchase tickets by calling 726-3555 or by going online to ticketmaster.ca

Brandon will bring the curtain down on its weekend home and home series with the Regina Pats on Saturday. The Wheat Kings opened up the series Friday night with a 9-5 victory. Codey Burki, Andrew Clark and Mark Derlago scored two goals each to pace the winners. Playing in his final regular season game ever at the Keystone Centre, Derlago scored his league leading 44th and 45 goals of the year.

Friday's game featured a number of on ice presentations. WHL Commissioner Ron Robison presented longtime Wheat Kings' owner and governor Bob Cornell with the WHL Governors Award, 18-year old Jordan Mitchell of Elkhorn was named the 2007 winner of the Maggie Janz Memorial Scholarship and 19-year old right-winger Ryan Reaves was named the first ever winner of the Precision Toyota Unsung Hero of the Year award.

A fifth round draft choice of the St. Louis Blues in the 2005 National Hockey League Entry draft, the 6'2" 215 lbs Winnipeg product was chosen by western Manitoba hockey fans, who went online at www.wheatkings.com during this past season to cast their vote.

The Precision Toyota Unsung Hero plaque is presented annually to the Wheat King player, who best displays hard work, determination and that all important "Never Quit" attitude.

The award presentation was made by Precision Toyota's Scott Ball.

In 69 games this season, Brandon's second selection (36th overall) in the 2002 WHL bantam draft, has fifteen goals, 35 points, 76 minutes in penalties and has a +11 ranking. During his three year WHL career, Reaves has 36 goals and 78 points in 202 games while accumulating 244 penalty minutes.

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