Photo by Brandi Pollock
Brandon, MB (Westman Journal) – The Brandon Wheat Kings will be looking for revenge on the Medicine Hat Tigers when the WHL Playoffs open up on Friday at the Canalta Centre (8:30 MB time). The Wheat Kings who finished the season winning six of their final seven games come into this year’s Quarter-Final series trying to erase the memory of a four-game sweep in the first round one year ago.
On paper, the Wildcard team would normally be the underdog, however, despite being crowned the Central Division Champions, the Tigers finished the season with four fewer wins and five fewer points than the Wheat Kings.
The Wheat Kings finished the regular season going 7-2-0-0 in the month of March, capping the regular season off with back to back wins over the Scotty Munro Champion, Moose Jaw Warriors. For the Wheat Kings, the strong finish to the season has them optimistic heading into playoffs.
“We have some confidence in our room right now,” said forward Connor Gutenberg. “We finished the season strong and we are looking to build off that as we get into playoffs.”
To say that these two teams are evenly matched would be an understatement. All four games in the season series went to overtime, with the Wheat Kings winning three of the four meetings, including both at the Canalta Centre.
“There is a lot of motivation from our perspective,” said Assistant Coach Don MacGillivray. “If you look at their group, they work hard, they are well coached and they play with a lot of pace. It will be a difficult matchup for sure but I think it’s one we are embracing and want to go after.”
One advantage Brandon may have over the Medicine Hat Tigers is in a category that proves time and time again to be invaluable. The Wheat Kings have over 204 combined games of WHL experience under their belt and have seven players who were a part of the 2015/2016 WHL Championship season.
With “home ice advantage” all but out the window for the Wheat Kings, who will play their home games at Dauphin’s Credit Union Place (Due to the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair). Getting a win on the road early is crucial.
“We want to go in there and steal game one,” added MacGillivray. “We’ve had some success in their building this year, winning both games there. All the games have been tight and we’re expecting a tough series but we have to continue on the path we’ve been on here lately and put the best foot forward when we get to game one.”
Series Schedule (All times in Manitoba)
Game 1 – Friday, March 23 – Canalta Centre – Medicine Hat, Alta. – 8:30 p.m.
Game 2 – Sunday, March 25 – Canalta Centre – Medicine Hat, Alta. – 7:00 p.m.
Game 3 – Tuesday, March 27 – Credit Union Place – Dauphin, Man. – 8:30 p.m.
Game 4 – Wednesday, March 28 –Credit Union Place – Dauphin, Man. – 8:30 p.m.
*Game 5 – Friday, March 30 – Canalta Centre – Medicine Hat, Alta. – 8:30 p.m.
*Game 6 – Sunday, April 1 –Credit Union Place – Dauphin, Man – 8:00 p.m.
*Game 7 – Tuesday, April 3 – Canalta Centre – Medicine Hat. Alta – 8:00 p.m.
*If Necessary
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