TIGERS BLANK WHEAT KINGS
Brandon, MB. — The Brandon Wheat Kings’ playoff hopes took another hit Wednesday night as they dropped a 3-0 decision to the visiting Medicine Hat Tigers at Westman Communications Group Place.
With the loss, Brandon’s third straight, the Wheat Kings record slipped to 20-34-2-2 – last in the Western Hockey League’s Eastern Conference and seventeen points behind the Tigers, who currently occupy one of the final two playoff spots.
The Wheat Kings have qualified for post season play for twelve straight seasons and nineteen of the last 20.
The Tigers, who ran their winning streak to four games with the win, jumped on the Wheat Kings early with first period goals by Elgin Pearce and Curtis Valk.
After a scoreless second frame, Valk added his second of the night and 35th of the season on a third period powerplay and veteran netminder Cam Lanigan closed the door, finishing the night with 32 saves for the shutout.
Curtis Honey stopped 32 shots in a losing cause for the Wheat Kings, who have now been shutout six times this season.
Brandon will now close out its 7-game home stand this weekend with a 2-game series against the visiting Kootenay Ice on Friday and Saturday nights.
Friday’s game is a presentation of Tim Hortons and will feature a Special Salute to both the Tournament of Champions and Hockey Manitoba’s AAA Bantam Showcase, which is being held in Brandon this weekend. A total of 24 AAA boys and girls teams will be participating.
Saturday’s game meanwhile is Giant Tiger Player Card Giveaway, with the first 2,000 fans in attendance to receive a complete set of 2012-13 Wheat Kings’ Player Cards.
Tickets to both games go back on sale Thursday morning at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling 726-3555 or online at keystonecentre.com.
