WHEAT KINGS TO FACE 7th GAME WINNER
Brandon, Manitoba — The Brandon Wheat Kings will have to wait until Wednesday night to find out the identity of their second round opponent in the Western Hockey League Eastern Conference semi-finals.
rThe Saskatoon Blades scored two unanswered first period goals, then added two powerplay markers in the final frame Monday night to beat the hometown Lethbridge Hurricanes 5-1 and force a seventh and deciding game in their Eastern Quarterfinal.
rShould the Blades win the decisive game on Wednesday night, they will advance to meet the Wheat Kings. However, should they lose to the ‘Canes in game seven, Brandon will face off against the winner of Tuesday night’s seventh and deciding game between Swift Current and Medicine Hat.
rIn any case, Brandon’s next series will begin on the road this Friday night, due to the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair. The Wheat Kings will host games three and four next week, with the dates and times to be confirmed.
rTickets to the Wheat Kings next two playoff home games will go on sale Thursday morning at 9 a.m. at the Keystone Centre box office. Because of the Fair, western Manitoba hockey fans might be wise to order their playoff tickets on line at ticketmaster.ca or by calling 726-3555.
rBrandon hasn’t played a game since last Wednesday when the Wheat Kings completed a 4-game sweep of the Kootenay Ice. They continue to prepare for round two with daily practices this week at the Canada Games Sportsplex.
rJoining the Wheat Kings as teams advancing to round two of post-season play are Calgary, Kelowna, Vancouver, Tri-Cities and the defending Memorial Cup Champion Spokane Chiefs. All Conference semi-final series will begin this weekend.
