WHEAT KINGS DOWN REBELS
Brandon, MB. – The Brandon Wheat Kings kicked off a busy 3-game in three night Western Hockey League weekend Friday afternoon with a 5-2 victory over the visiting Red Deer Rebels.
Ty Lewis, the game’s first star, scored twice and set up another as the Wheat Kings jumped out to a 3-1 first period lead and then put the game away with two goals in the third.
Lewis’ second goal earned all fans in attendance the chance to order Dominos Pizza for 50% off online all day Saturday, using the Promo Code WK5.
With the win, before a packed house of 5,024 at Westman Communications Group Place, the Wheat Kings improved to 8-7-3-0 on the season.
“A lot of guys bought into what we had to do today,” Lewis told reporters after the game.
Kale Clague, Stelio Mattheos and Tyler Coulter also scored for the Wheat Kings, who will travel to Swift Current on Saturday night for the first of a home and home series with the Broncos.
Brandon will host Swift Current at 4pm Sunday.
Michael Spacek and Dawson Martin scored in a losing cause for the Rebels, who outshot Brandon 34-26.
Despite giving up two powerplay goals, the Wheat Kings scored two of their own and added a shorthanded tally early in the first when Clague beat Red Deer starting netminder Riley Lamb.
A Rivers product, Lamb was pulled after giving up two goals and replaced with Lasse Petersen.
Jordan Papirny went the distance in the Brandon net, making 32 saves, including 24 through the game’s first forty minutes.
Friday’s Annual Remembrance Day game, presented by Koch Fertilizer, was also Manitoba Minor Hockey Kick-off Day. Over 300 minor hockey players attended the game, courtesy of Koch Fertilizer and its western Manitoba retailers.
In recognition of Manitoba Minor Hockey and Remembrance Day, Friday’s ceremonial opening face-off was conducted by two minor hockey players – Virden’s Jaedyn Hoemsen and Brody Lane of Birtle – and Mrs. Marion Reid. Mrs. Reid was representing the Royal Canadian Air Force Women’s Division on its 75th Anniversary.
Tickets to Sunday’s game go back on sale Saturday at the Keystone Centre box office. Fans can order online at keystonecentre.com or by calling (204) 726-3555.
