WHEAT KINGS BUST BRONCOS
Brandon, MB. — The Brandon Wheat Kings opened up a 3-game pre-Christmas Western Hockey League home stand Friday night with an impressive 4-2 victory over the visiting Swift Current Broncos.
The Wheat Kings outshot the Broncos 47-31 en route to the win, improving their record to 27-7-2-1 on the season and snapping a 2-game home ice losing streak in the process.
Rookie Duncan Campbell got things going early when he rifled a wrist shot past Broncos’ netminder Landon Bow at the 1:59 mark of the first period. Campbell’s goal sent litters of stuffed animals to the ice as the Wheat Kings hosted their annual Shoppers Mall Teddy Bear Toss at Westman Place.
In the second, a shorthanded goal by Tim McGauley, followed by a powerplay marker by Nolan Patrick gave Brandon a 3-0 cushion through forty minutes.
Braylon Shmyr rounded out Brandon’s scoring with less than six minutes to play in the third, before the Broncos rallied for back to back goals in the final minutes to pull to within two.
With the win – before over 4,900 fans – moved Brandon three points up on second place Medicine Hat in the Eastern Conference and twelve ahead of second place Regina in the Division.
All stuffed animals collected during Friday’s game will be donated to the local Christmas Cheer Registry.
Brandon will close out its pre-season schedule with games on Sunday and Tuesday nights against Red Deer and Regina.
Tickets to both games go back on sale Saturday morning at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling 726-3555 or online at keystonecentre.com
