Wheat Kings Welcome Raiders, Broncos During Week’s Slate Of Games
After earning three of a possible four points against division rivals over their opening weekend, and getting their season off to an incredible start offensively with 15 goals in two games, it’s more divisional opponents and rivalry games for the Brandon Wheat Kings this week, starting with a home game against the Prince Albert Raiders.
The Wheat Kings and Raiders played a series so close it was nearly airtight last season. The two teams split the six-game series with three wins each, and five of the six contests were one-goal games. They’re neck and neck in the early standings as well, with the Wheat Kings having three points to the Raiders’ two.
This game will be the first of six Willie Wednesdays for the Wheat Kings. Kids tickets are $10 and hotdogs are $2 all night.
Young players for the Wheat Kings needed to step up with some of the big guns away at NHL camps, and they stepped up massively, with Roger McQueen leading the way with six points. He’s one of 12 Wheat Kings who just had a multi-point weekend.
The impressive offense is only going to get better, as forward Brett Hyland, who posted 26 goals in 42 games last season, is back from camp with the Washington Capitals. He’ll be ready to go when the team takes the ice on Wednesday.
The Wheat Kings also have some extra help in the defensive zone, with the return of Quinn Mantei from camp with the Calgary Flames. Head coach and GM Marty Murray has high expectations for Mantei for the season ahead.
“I think he’s going to be at another level even from what we saw last year,” Murray said. “He’ll be the anchor of our back end and play in all situations. It’s nice to get a guy like that back.”
After a showdown with Prince Albert, the Wheat Kings are back on the road to Moose Jaw on Friday, September 29. In their last meeting, the Wheat Kings erupted offensively with nine goals to spoil the Warriors’ home opener in a 9-4 win. Moose Jaw will no doubt be looking to avenge that defeat.
From Moose Jaw, the Wheat Kings come back home on Saturday, September 30, to welcome the Swift Current Broncos for the first of two games in a week against them. The Broncos, like the Wheat Kings, have been dealing with some absences due to NHL camps, and dropped the first two games of their season against the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
As part of the game on September 30, the Wheat Kings will be unveiling a brand new third jersey. They’ll also be celebrating Indigenous culture as part of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Away from Brandon, it was a huge week for Wheat Kings goaltender Carson Bjarnason. The 18-year-old Carberry native signed his NHL entry level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday.
Pick up tickets for the two Wheat Kings home games this week HERE.
