Brandon Wheat Kings this week –
The Brandon Wheat Kings will enjoy a couple of off days this week after completing a successful 7-game in eleven day western road trip that saw them win six games and build up a six point cushion on second place Medicine Hat in the Western Hockey League’s Eastern Conference.
Playing four games in five nights to close out the second half of the trip that began with a tour of the five B.C. Division based clubs, the Wheat Kings blanked the Tigers 4-0 on Saturday night to finish with their best October west coast excursion since 2002-03 when they compiled a 5-0-1 mark.
The Wheat Kings, who have one of if not the worst travel schedules in the WHL, begain the trip on October 22nd in Prince George. All in all, Brandon was on the road for thirteen days when they finally pulled back into the Wheat City on Sunday. Not only is that a long time to be away from your own bed and your own rink, it’s a massive amount of time spent on a bus. Just crunching the rough numbers, it’s pretty staggering how much travel they would have racked up on this trip alone early in the year.
Cody Nickolet, a scout for @FCHockey, used Google maps and did his best this past weekend to do a rough estimate of the Wheat Kings two week trip:
– Brandon to Prince George = 1873 km
– Prince George to Kamloops = 526 km
– Kamloops to Kelowna = 211 km
– Kelowna to Victoria = 479 km
– Victoria to Vancouver = 113 km
– Vancouver to Lethbridge = 1178 km
– Lethbridge to Medicine Hat = 169 km
– Medicine Hat to Brandon = 826 km
Total = 5375 km
That’s assuming they always used the “shortest route” from city to city, something that’s not always the case. That’s a big number, but just how big? It turns out it’s a rough equivalent of driving from Edmonton to Los Angeles and back. Or like driving from Vancouver to Toronto. Or like driving from Calgary to Guatemala, which is south of Mexico.
It’s a scary amount of travel, but it’s an example of what teams in the WHL have to go through considering the fact that the team’s are spread so far apart when compared to the other CHL leagues.
These types of trips are often a huge part of a team’s schedule and for good reason. They are often looked at as a measuring stick not only of how good the individual team is, but also how the conferences compare to each other. Well, it was a great one for Brandon. We all know the Wheat Kings are considered to be one of the best clubs in the league, but winning 6 of the 7 games on the trip is a massive accomplishment no matter how good you’re expected to be.
LOOKING BACK AT THE WEEK:
Tuesday, October 28th – Wheat Kings 3 Victoria Royals 2
Defenceman Ryan Pilon scored the lone goal of the third period, snapping a 2-2 deadlock and getting the Wheat Kings’ week off on the right foot
Wednesday, October 29th – Wheat Kings 5 Vancouver Giants 2
Tyler Coulter scored twice and New Jersey Devils first round draft choice John Quenneville had a goal and three points as Brandon completed its 5-game tour through the B.C. Division with a 4-1-0 mark.
Friday, October 31st – Wheat Kings 5 Lethbridge Hurricanes 4
Rihards Bukarts powerplay goal in OT lifted Brandon to the win, after the Hurricanes had tied the score at four with just over three minutes remaining. Trailing 3-2 after one period, the Wheat Kings regained the lead with two unanswered second period goals.
Saturday, November 1st – Wheat Kings 4 Medicine Hat Tigers 0
In what was a battle between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference, the Wheat Kings scored once in the first, two in the second and rounded out the scoring with a third period empty netter. Jordan Papirny backstopped the Eastern Division leaders with a 34-save performance.
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE:
Friday, November 7th vs. Saskatoon Blades @ 7:30pm – Rocky Mountain Equipment Team Poster Night
Saturday, November 8th vs. Calgary Hitmen @ 7:30pm – Super Thrifty Night
(Saturday is also another Source for Sports – Subway Family Night! See store for ticket promotion details)
THIS WEEK’S PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, November 5th @ 1:45pm
Thursday, November 6th @ 1:45pm
THIS WEEK’S PLAYER APPEARANCE SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, November 5th – CIBC Read to Succeed visit to Carberry
Thursday, November 6th – CIBC Read to Succeed visit to Neepawa
WHEAT KINGS ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT JERSEYS:
The Wheat Kings have teamed up with both the United Way of Brandon and District and Canadian Forces Base Shilo in raising both awareness and proceeds for our community during a special November home game. On Saturday, November 15th the Wheat Kings look forward to continuing the tradition of honouring CFB Shilo when they host Medicine Hat.
On that night, the Wheat Kings will wear special military themed jerseys thoughout the game, which will be auctioned off with proceeds going to the Community Fund of United Way of Brandon and District. This fund supports agencies in the community that make a difference in thousands of lives each and every day. This partnership is a shining example of the commitment to community on behalf of the Wheat Kings and personnel of CFB Shilo.
The CFB Shilo crest is prominently displayed on the military theme jersey and it is recognized as a symbol of the Army in Manitoba. All Canadian Army units in the province, Reserve and Regular Force, work, live or train at Shilo. The crest features a stag and the motto “Ad Omnia Paratus”, which roughly translates “Ready for Anything”.
While the Wheat Kings have held a number of military nights throughout recent years, next month’s game will mark the first time that the Western Hockey League club has produced special military themed jerseys. The first jersey to be auctioned off was Quintin Lisoway’s #28, which went for $1,400 during CKLQ’s play by play broadcast this past weekend. It went to Dehr Custom Carpentry of Glenella.
SUBWAY SERIES ROSTER UPDATES:
While the Russian Ice Hockey Federation has yet to confirm, media sources are reporting that Wheat Kings rookie blueliner Ivan Provorov will be a member of the Junior Team that battles Team WHL in next week’s SUBWAY SUPER SERIES, scheduled for Saskatoon and Brandon on Monday and Tuesday nights.
As well, with the Buffalo Sabres decision to send second overall draft choice Sam Reinhart back to Kootenay, fans should expect to see the Ice captain added to the WHL All Star Team this week.
BRANDON BITS: The Wheat Kings have announced plans to participate in this year’s Canadian Hockey League MOVEMBER Campaign, in support of men’s health … The deadline for the Wheat Kings to make a decision on their import situation is this Wednesday… Brandon must get down to the league limit of three … Speaking of imports, Latvian left-winger Rihards Bukarts continues to lead the club in scoring with nine goals and 26 points in sixteen games … Russian blueliner Ivan Provorov meanwhile leads all WHL rookies in scoring with eight goals and 19 points … Three members of the Wheat Kings – Tanner Kaspick, Nolan Patrick and Kale Clague are representing Brandon this week at the World Under 17 Hockey Challenge in Sarnia, Ontario.
courtesy of BrandonWheatKings.com
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