WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheaties to take on the Central

Published on October 19, 2006 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, Manitoba - The Brandon Wheat Kings take on two Central Division teams at the Keystone Centre this weekend as they play their final two Western Hockey League home games of October against the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes on Friday and the Kootenay Ice on Saturday.

Winners of three of their last four games including back to back on the road last weekend, the Wheat Kings begin the weekend sitting alone in second place in the WHL's Eastern Division with a 6-4-0-1 record. Brandon currently trails the front running Swift Current Broncos by one point, with a game in hand.

Lethbridge blows into town Friday with a record of 5-7-1-1 while the Ice enter Friday's game in Swift Current with an impressive 7-3-0-1 mark, good for second place in the Central Division - one point behind the Eastern Conference leading Medicine Hat Tigers.

While the Wheat Kings and Ice begin the weekend going in one direction, the 'Canes are coming off Wednesday's disappointing 4-2 loss to the Prince Albert Raiders, their third straight defeat. Lethbridge will be hoping to gain some revenge on the Wheat Kings, who battled back from a 4-0 first period deficit to beat the 'Canes 6-5 on Thanksgiving Monday.

With high scoring Ben Maxwell leading the charge, Kootenay enters the weekend riding a 7-game unbeaten streak. A second round draft choice of the National Hockey League's Montreal Canadiens (49th overall), the 18-year old currently leads the league in scoring with seven goals and 21 points in eleven games. Ryan Russell meanwhile is fourth in the WHL with 18 goals including a league high ten goals.

In fact, Saturday's game will feature six of the league's top 12 snipers. In addition to Kootenay's two starts, the Wheat Kings boast two solid scoring lines and four players among the league leaders. Thanks to a career high 7-game point scoring streak, Mark Derlago leads Brandon with eight goals and 16 points, followed by Andrew Clark (5-10-15), Codey Burki (8-6-14) and rookie Juraj Simek (7-7-14).

In the only game played between Brandon and Kootenay this season, the Ice skated to a 3-1 victory on October 8th. The Wheat Kings, however, didn't have their captain - Teegan Moore in the lineup for that game because of a shoulder injury. The 5-year WHL veteran and the club's active leader in career games played (269) is expected to be back in the Wheat Kings' lineup this weekend.

Following this weekend's home stand, the Wheat Kings will hit the road for their annual west coast road trip, beginning Wednesday night in Vancouver against the defending champion Giants.

Tickets to Friday and Saturday's games are on sale now at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling 726-3555 or online at ticketmaster.ca

While Saturday's game will feature a special pre-game Salute to western Manitoba school patrols, some lucky fan attending Friday's game will have a chance to shoot for a $20,000 recreational vehicle from Pik-a-Dilly RV Centre during the second.

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 19, 2006


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