The Brandon Wheat Kings Thread

[joelzillmanwpg]

I've noticed the Wheaties are once again off to a terrific start, so I figured I would create a thread for Manitoba's favorite Junior hockey team

[joelzillmanwpg]

Calvert scores shootout winner as Wheat Kings beat Raiders 5-4



20 hours ago

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. - Matt Calvert scored the shootout winner as the Brandon Wheat Kings defeated the Prince Albert Raiders 5-4 in Western Hockey League action Wednesday.

Del Cowan, Brayden Schenn, Tyler Dittmer and Matt Lowry also scored for Brandon (14-8-0-1), which blew a 4-1 lead. James Dobrowolski had a goal and two assists for Prince Albert (8-12-3-1), while Devon LeBlanc, Brandon Herrod and Justin Bernhardt also scored.

Andrew Hayes and Joe Caligiuri combined to make 23 saves for Brandon. Dustin Butler and Steven Stanford stopped 29 total shots for Prince Albert.


source: Canadian Press

[joelzillmanwpg]

Record Has to Wait (Brandon 5 Medicine Hat 1)




By DARREN STEINKE
Nov 22, 2007, 16:55


Brayden Schenn and Jay Fehr ensured Jack Shupe will retain sole possession of the Medicine Hat Tigers club record for regular season head coaching wins for at least a couple more days.
The Brandon Wheat Kings forwards each had a pair of goals as their club dumped the visiting Tigers 5-1 before 3,049 fans at Westman Place Wednesday. The game was the first chance current Tigers head coach and general manager Willie Desjardins had to tie Shupe for the mark.

Shupe has 228 regular season wins to Desjardins’ 227. For his part, Desjardins more concerned about how the game played out.
“It was kind of the opposite from the last time we were in here,” said Desjardins, whose team defeated the Wheat Kings in Brandon 5-2 back on Oct. 20. “We had a slow start, and we kind of gained control of that game.

“(Wednesday) we had a really good start. We were outshooting them 7-2 early. We just got taking penalties, and the game got away on us.”
Schenn, who is a 16-year-old centre, scored on a power play late in the first period to give the Wheat Kings a 1-0 lead and the momentum. He put the home side up 2-0 scoring just 2:30 into the second frame. The Saskatoon product now has nine goals and 12 assists in 26 games during his rookie campaign.

“He was real, real good,” said Desjardins about Schenn. “I was really impressed with him. He could have had another three or four points for sure.”
Left-winger Tyler Dittmer scored his 18th goal of the season on a power play at the 7:45 mark of the second to put the home side up 3-0. After that goal, the Tigers decided to pull starting goaltender Ryan Holfeld, who turned away 13 of 16 shots he faced.

Tomas Vosvrda went the rest of the way in the Medicine Hat goal turning away nine of 11 shots. Joe Caligiuri went the distance in the Brandon net turning away 18 shots.
The switch seemed to provide a spark for the Tigers as Tyler Ennis netted his 16th of the year to cut the gap to 3-1.

“Once you score, you always hope (there will be a comeback),” said Desjardins. “It just wasn’t to be today. They outplayed us. They were a better team than we were today.”
Fehr restored order for the home side scoring with 2:15 to play in the second to give Brandon a 4-1 lead. The Morden, Man. product rounded out the game’s scoring in the third.

With the win, the Wheat Kings improve to 16-9-0-1, while the Tigers fall to 14-9-2. While Desjardins is not worried about chase to the Tigers all-time coaching wins record, he will have another chance to equal the record Friday as his club travels to Moose Jaw to face the Warriors.

In that match, Desjardins wants his team to focus on the little battles.
“We have to win our one-on-ones,” said Desjardins. “We have to compete harder.”


source: medicine hat news

[ratzy]

Schenn will for sure play for team Canada at some point. Everytime he touches the puck he gives Brandon a chance. He's an amazing stickhandler and he's a very smart player. He always knows where his teammatess are and where he should place the puck to give his teammates a good opportunity. I can't believe he's only 16!

[joelzillmanwpg]

Wheaties Move To Top Of Division



12/05/07

Regina, Saskatchewan -- The defending Eastern Division champion Brandon Wheat Kings used a four goal first period outburst Tuesday night to propel them to an impressive 5-2 victory over the Pats in Regina in what was a battle for first place.
The Wheat Kings, who ran their season high winning streak to six games, scored four goals in a span of just over six minutes en route to the win that moved Brandon into sole possession of top spot in the Eastern Division with a record of 20-9-0-1. The 41 points also moved Brandon into second place in the Eastern Conference - one point ahead of Lethbridge and two behind the front running Calgary Hitmen.

Daniel Bartek and Scott Glennie led Brandon with two goals each while veteran defenceman Theran Yeo added a first period powerplay goal. Logan Pyett and Jared Jagow replied for the Pats, who trailed 4-0 and 5-0 at the period breaks.

The two goals by Glennie gave the 16-year old Winnipeg product twelve goals on the season and moved him into a tie with linemate Brayden Schenn for first place among first year players in the WHL. Schenn meanwhile assisted on both of Glennie's goals, extending his point scoring streak to six games and giving him 12 goals and 28 points in 30 games to lead all Western League rookies in scoring.

Veteran Joe Caligiuri turned aside 21 shots in posting the victory and improving his record to 17-8-0 on the season. The former Winnipeg AAA Wild goalkeeper is currently tied with Chet Pickard of the Tri-City Americans for second place in wins, two behind the league leader Tyson Sexsmith of the Vancouver Giants.

The Wheat Kings will now return to the friendly confines of Westman Communications Group Place for a 3-game home stand, set to begin Friday night at 7:30 p.m. against Saskatoon. Brandon will be putting two impressive winning streaks on the line this weekend. In addition to the club's 6-game win streak, the Wheat Kings enter Friday's game having won seven in a row on home ice.

Tickets for Friday's game, which will feature the 18th Annual Westoba Credit Union Kids Loonie Scramble, are on sale now at the Keystone Centre box office. Fans can also order by calling 726-3555 or online at ticketmaster.ca.

[joelzillmanwpg]

Andrew Hayes makes 15 saves for the shutout as Brandon blanks Saskatoon




December 8, 2007

BRANDON, Man. - Rookie Andrew Hayes needed just 15 saves for his first career Western Hockey League shutout as the Brandon Wheat Kings blanked the Saskatoon Blades 4-0 on Friday night.

Scott Glennie led Brandon with a goal and two assists, while Brayden Schenn, Tyler Dittmer and Matt Calvert also scored for the Wheat Kings, who improved to 21-9-0-1.

Braden Holtby stopped 30 shots for Saskatoon, which slipped to 11-19-1-0.

*****

I think it's safe to say that the Brandon Wheat Kings are the best junior hockey team ever.

[joelzillmanwpg]

Hayes turns aside 22 shots in Brandon's 6-0 triumph over Saskatoon

THE CANADIAN PRESS
Sat Dec 15, 12:10 AM ET


BRANDON, Man. - Andrew Hayes made 22 saves to backstop the Brandon Wheat Kings to a 6-0 victory over the Saskatoon Blades in the Western Hockey League on Friday night.

It was the second career WHL shutout for Hayes, his first coming exactly one week earlier against the same Blades club.

Cale Jefferies, Matt Calvert, Tyler Dittmer, Theran Yeo, Matt Lowry and Brayden Schenn also scored for the Wheat Kings, who improved their record to 22-10-0-1 this season. Jay Fehr had three assists for Brandon.

Braden Holtby stopped five of the seven shots he faced for Saskatoon before being replaced by Garrett Zemlak.

Zemlak stopped 35 of the 39 shots he faced for the Blades, who slipped to 12-20-1.

[joelzillmanwpg]

Wheat Kings Regain Top Spot




12/16/07 -


Prince Albert, Saskatchewan -- The Brandon Wheat Kings regained top spot in the Western Hockey League's Eastern Division Saturday night with a 4-3 victory over the hometown Raiders in Prince Albert.
With the victory, which brought the curtain down on the Wheat Kings' pre-Christmas schedule, coupled with Moose Jaw's convincing 6-1 victory over Regina Saturday night, Brandon vaulted past the Pats and into sole posession of first place in the WHL's Eastern Division with an impressive 23-10-0-1 record (13-5-0 at home and 10-5-0-1 on the road), good for 47 points.

Winners of nine of their last ten and 15 of their last 19 games, the Wheat Kings will now have a well deserved 11-day Christmas break, before kicking off the second half of the 2007-08 campaign on Thursday, December 27th against the Pats at Westman Communications Group Place.

In Saturday's win - Brandon's second in as many nights - Jay Fehr scored what proved to be the game winner at the 8:57 mark of the third period. Rookie Jordan Hale, with his first goal of his Western League career, Andrew Clark and Tyler Dittmer, with his team leading 25th goal of the season also scored for the Wheat Kings, who wiped out a 1-0 first period deficit with three second period goals. Dittmer is currently second in the league in goals and only two behind Drayson Bowman of the Spokane Chiefs.

Brandon began the weekend with a 6-0 victory over Saskatoon on Friday as 17-year old netminder Andrew Hayes made 22 saves in registering his second straight shutout.

Entering Sunday's WHL action, which features three games on the menu including Calgary hosting Medicine Hat, Dittmer has moved into 12th place in the WHL scoring race with 42 points. Clark meanwhile is tied for 17th with 11 goals and 39 points.

16-year old Saskatoon product Brayden Schenn, who had his career high 8-game point scoring streak snapped Saturday night in Prince Albert, leads all first year players in the WHL at the break with fifteen goals and 34 points. Linemate Matt Calvert, who also had an 8-game scoring streak come to an end against the Raiders, is fourth with nine goals and 27 points. Scott Glennie, another 16-year old rookie is fifth with 25 points including thirteen goals.

18-year old goalkeeper Joe Caligiuri, who turned aside sixteen shots in defeating the Raiders on Saturday, enters the holiday break with a 2.52 goals against average (12th) and eighteen victories (3rd) in 28 appearances (4th). The former Winnipeg Wild all star has also won seven of his last 8 starts.

One of the most interesting points about this year's club has been its success in putting pucks in the net. Despite graduating six of its top seven scorers over the summer, the defending Eastern Division champions currently lead the WHL with 134 goals, which translates to an average of 3.94 goals per game while giving up 91 goals (2.68 goals against per game).

As for Special teams, the Wheat Kings' powerplay is currently 11th in the league, clicking at 19.3% (38-197) while their penalty killing is fourth (85.3%) - behind Tri-City, Vancouver and Everett. Three of Brandon's first 34 games have been settled in Overtime Shootouts, with the Wheat Kings winning two of three.

[joelzillmanwpg]

Well here I am in Brandon,MB visiting my girlfriend. The mood here is festive, as the Wheat Kings came up with a huge victory over the Lethbridge Hurricanes last night. Tonight we have tickets to the game against the first place Calgary Hitmen! GO WHEATIES!!!

[joelzillmanwpg]

Matt Calvert scores shootout winner as Brandon edges Calgary 2-1


BRANDON, Man. — Brandonite Matt Calvert scored the winning goal in a shootout as the Brandon Wheat Kings beat the Calgary Hitmen 2-1 in the Western Hockey League on Saturday night.

The Wheat Kings won the shootout 2-0, with Calvert's fellow rookie linemate Brayden Schenn also scoring for Brandon.

Both regulation goals were scored in the first period, with Brock Nixon scoring first for the Hitmen, who lead the Eastern Conference with a 43-17-1-4 record.

Defenceman Daryl Boyle tied it up for the Wheat Kings, who improved to 39-22-2-2.

Brandon netminder Joe Caligiuri made 27 saves, while Martin Jones stopped 25 shots for Calgary.


----


WOW!

I can honestly say that I had an excellent time last night at the Wheat Kings game. They defeated the Calgary Hitmen 2-1 in a shootout. The arena was almost filled to capacity as 4,600 fans jammed the Keystone Centre to watch the Wheaties beat the best team in the league.

The atmosphere reminded me of Winnipeg Jets games, something that is sadly lacking for the AHL Moose. In fact, I am convinced that a WHL team in Winnipeg would be a huge success.

[Y2C]

A WHL team would be great no doubt, but I think the NHL returning would monopolize the hockey fans in Winnipeg. The nice thing about the Moose is it would be easy enough to move them elsewhere in the event of an NHL return, whereas I'd feel a lot worse leaving the WHL high and dry. I'm fine with the Wheat Kings serving as Manitoba's representation in the Dub, they're my favorite hockey team (aside from Team Canada, of course).

[joelzillmanwpg]

Well, the Wheat Kings are coming into the final stretch with a record of 40-24-5, good for 7th place in the Western Conference. They probably won't catch the Regina Pats for 1st place in their division, but with a good final showing, they can possibly move into 5th or at least 6th place, ahead of Moose Jaw...

[djk]

I always follow the Wheaties. I'm surprised that Manitoba only has one WHL team to be honest. Seems to me that there are places that could support a WHL club, such as Portage. To be honest, I'd also rather have a WHL team in Winnipeg than the AHL.

I don't believe an NHL team would necessarily kill the WHL in Winnipeg either, if we did have a team. Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver all have teams and at least the Giants and Hitmen are very popular. The problem would be venues I guess. Should have kept the old barn.

[mcguire4]

the NHL did kill the WHL here in winnipeg. in the WHA days we had a jr. team and they couldnt make a go it. then when the NHL was here we had the winnipeg warriors ( now moose jaw warriors) they couldnt do it either.
when the NHL comes back, it would kill the WHL again. the WHL knows this and that is the main reason we do not have a jr. team here now.
GO WHEATIES!

[Dcmac]

Very true, so I guess from here on in we either get an NHL team or a junior team

Go Wheat Kings

[joelzillmanwpg]

Well the Wheaties continute to be competetive, posting a 29-14-3 record, good for 3rd place in the conference. Last night they lost a heartbreaker to 1st place Saskatoon, after not losing in regulation for over a month. Hopefully the Wheaties can go far in the playoffs this year.

[joelzillmanwpg]

Big blueliner has Brandon believing Wheat Kings can make Memorial Cup run

By SCOTT FISHER



The Brandon Wheat Kings are understandably excited.

As hosts of the 2010 Memorial Cup, the Wheaties are guaranteed a spot in junior hockey's national showcase.

"It's a big deal for the city of Brandon," says defenceman Keith Aulie. "Everyone's really excited to have the Memorial Cup next year."

Well, not everyone. Aulie's not exactly doing cartwheels.

The 19-year-old Calgary Flames prospect will, in all likelihood, be turning pro next season.

So, if the 6-foot-6, 222-lb. monster wants to play in the Memorial Cup, he'll have to get there the old-fashioned way: By earning it.

"Yeah, I guess so," Aulie said of this year's tourney in Rimouski, Que..

And that's not a far-fetched scenario.

The Wheat Kings have won 14 of their last 17 games and find themselves six points back of the equally red-hot Saskatoon Blades for top spot in the Eastern Division.

The club turned a corner after the Christmas break -- approximately when Aulie returned from Team Canada's world junior squad.

The Rouleau, Sask., product said it took a while for the Wheat Kings to gel.

"We started playing as a team," Aulie said. "We had some guys who were gone for different reasons, world juniors, injuries, stuff like that.

"That really forced the guys to play as a team, to play as one."

Aulie has five goals and 24 points in 44 games but it's his defensive game that has made the Wheat Kings captain a legitimate pro prospect.

He was paired with Kelowna Rockets Tyler Myers -- who also stands 6-foot-6 -- on the Team Canada blueline to form what quickly became the squad's shutdown duo.

The world junior experience, he said, made him a better player.

"It was getting used to playing with a lot of pressure on you," Aulie said. "There's a lot of people watching and a lot of people rooting for you.

"To play in front of all those people, remain composed and play your game, that was the biggest thing I learned."

"Any time you can play for your country, and to win the gold medal on home soil, it's a pretty amazing experience.

"We made it exciting. I think we gave everybody some high blood pressure. It wasn't pretty at times, but we got it done, so that's all that matters."

Aulie took some time to recuperate after the emotional world junior win.

"You don't really realize until a week or so after -- once you come down from Cloud 9 -- how exhausted you actually are.

"It takes a lot out of you. It's a month of a lot of hard work and preparation."

He and the rest of the Wheat Kings have another three months of hard work ahead of them as they take a run at the 2009 Memorial Cup.

---

Brandons record: 35-15-4

3rd in Eastern Conference

[joelzillmanwpg]

Clark's hat trick lifts Brandon to 7-4 triumph over Prince Albert

21 hours ago

BRANDON, Man. — Andrew Clark scored three times to lift the Brandon Wheat Kings to a 7-4 victory over the Prince Albert Raiders in the Western Hockey League on Friday night.

Mark Stone notched two goals, including the game-winner, for the Wheat Kings, who blew a 4-0 lead before recovering to score the last three goals of the game. Nathan Green and Brayden Schenn also scored as Brandon improved to 36-15-3-1.

Brandon Herrod, Bryce Lamb, Jordan Rowley and Jordan Hickmott replied for the Raiders, who fell to 24-29-3-1.

Brandon netminder Andrew Hayes made 25 saves, while Steven Stanford stopped 33 shots for Prince Albert.

----

THe Wheaties are kicking some serious Go Jets Go. I think they could go all the way this year, then again in 2010, since they are hosting the 2010 Memorial Cup.

[joelzillmanwpg]

Oil Kings Settle For Split On Weekend Road Trip
February 7, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL) Edmonton Oil Kings

Brandon, MB - That's a tough schedule. Not only did the Oil Kings just wrap up 4 games in 5 days but 3 of those games were against the top 3 team in the WHL's Eastern Conference. The Brandon Wheat Kings showed why they're one of the most consistent teams in the league extending their winning streak to 4 games with a 6 - 1 win over the Oil Kings. Matt Calvert finished off a week where he racked up 10 points in 3 games thanks to a 5 point night against Edmonton, while Ryan Stone chipped in with a goal and 3 helpers as Brandon's special teams took over in the second period.
This game featured the two most sportsmanlike teams in the league. The Wheat Kings entered the game having given up the least amount of powerplays in the league and Edmonton was second in the WHL in that category. Ironically, it was a powerplay goal that broke a scoreless first period with just 1:46 to go. Brandon was enjoying their 3rd man advantage of the game when Mark Stone came busting into the Oil Kings zone on the right wing. He faked a pass back to the point, looked like he was going to drive to the net but caught the Oil Kings defense by surprise when he did drop a pass to the trailer. Brayden Schenn had some room to pick the corner on rookie goalie Cam Lanigan who was playing in the place of the injured Torrie Jung. Schenn's 25th of the season gave Brandon the 1 nothing lead heading into the first intermission.

The Oil Kings roster had a different look to the one iced 24 hours earlier in their 2 - 1 win over Regina. Beausejour, Manitoba native Devin Balness was making his WHL debut while rookie defenseman Jesse Pearson was playing his first game since missing 17 contests with a shoulder injury.

Mark Stone was the set up guy on the Wheat Kings next goal early in the second period. After going 2 minutes without generating a shot on net with the man advantage, Brandon made up for it with one broken play. Stone drew the attention of both Oil Kings defenseman as he came busting down the right wing. That left Matt Calvert all alone in the slot and he slid a quick shot under Lanigan for his 14th goal of the season. That made it 2 nothing just over 5 minutes into the second period.

The Oil Kings penalty trouble continued through the second period. Brandon would extend their lead on yet another powerplay. Matt Calvert found a lane and fed a pass back to the point for Matt Lowry. He didn't waste any time firing a shot on net with Ryan Stone on the doorstep. Stone made a quick move to put one past Lanigan for his 10th of the season. All of a sudden it was 3 nothing.

It was all Wheat Kings special teams in the middle frame. Edmonton's defense found themselves backing in while they were caught on their own powerplay. It looked like rookie Mark Pysyk made a nice sliding play to take a puck away from Matt Calvert but the puck squirted loose and Calvert regained control. Then he tried to pass the puck across the crease but that attempt was blocked by another sliding Oil Kings defender and that ended up right back on the stick of Calvert who had a tap in for his 4th point of the game. That shorthanded goal made it 4 - 0 heading into the second intermission.

Robin Soudek would break the goose egg on a nice re-direct powerplay goal early in the third period. Calvert's hat trick goal came on the powerplay a couple of minutes later and Keith Aulie added a single to make the final score 6 - 1. Brandon finished up on the night going 3 for 10 on the powerplay plus they added that shorthanded goal.

Edmonton settles for a split on their 2 game swing through the East Division and their record slips to 24-29-2-4. The Oil Kings will have just a few days off in between games as they get set for another busy week. They'll play 3 games in 4 nights starting Wednesday night in Cranbrook against the Kootenay Ice. Then they'll head south of the border for games against Tri-Cities and Spokane next weekend. The next home game at Rexall Place isn't until February 25th. That's another Weiner Wednesday featuring $2 hot dogs all night long.

[joelzillmanwpg]

News article:

WHEATIES SWEEP WEEKEND
Sunday, March 08, 2009



Brandon, Manitoba -- The Brandon Wheat Kings kept their hopes of finishing on top of the Western Hockey League's Eastern Division alive this weekend by winning back to back games.

After scoring five unanswered third period goals on Friday night to score a come from behind 7-4 “Smitty's Breakfast for Everyone” victory over the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors, the Wheat Kings picked up their 24th road win of the year on Saturday when they edged the Pats 2-1 in Regina.

With the two wins, Brandon has moved back to within three points of the front running Saskatoon Blades in the WHL's Eastern Division, with three games to play during the final week of the 2008-09 regular season. The Wheat Kings, who got a goal and an assist from 19-year old Aaron Lewadniuk on Saturday night, are 46-18-3-2, good for 97 points.

While the Wheat Kings will host Swift Current on Wednesday, before closing out the year with a home and home weekend series with Moose Jaw, the Blades will travel to Moose Jaw on Tuesday night before closing out the campaign with a home and home weekend series with the Prince Albert Raiders.

Brandon has already clinched home ice advantage for the opening round of the playoffs and will host the Kootenay Ice, Medicine Hat Tigers or the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Friday and Saturday, March 20th and 21st at 7:30 p.m.

Entering the final week of the season, the Ice lead the seventh place Hurricanes by one point, with four games to play. The Tigers meanwhile are three points clear of Kootenay.

Tickets to Brandon's final two home games as well as its first two playoff dates are on sale at the Keystone Centre box office. Fans can also order by phone at 726-3555 or online at ticketmaster.ca


source: www.wheatkings.com