PATERA SOLID IN WIN OVER MEDICINE HAT

Photo by Brandi Crowe

Brandon, MB (CKLQ) – Jiri Patera kicked aside 40 shots as the Brandon Wheat Kings won their fourth in a row Tuesday night, 4-1 over the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Patera, who was recently named the WHL Goaltender of the Week capped off an impressive week with the win. His week also included being named to the Czech Republic national team selection camp for the World Junior Championships coming up in Vancouver and Victoria.

It was a fast-paced opening period at Westoba Place as the Wheat Kings and Tigers traded chances at both ends. Luka Burzan broke the goose egg with his 17th of the year as he took a lucky bounce off a Tiger defender and beat Mads Sogaard.

In the second, the Tigers would draw even. Ryan Chyzowski picked up a pass off the penalty box doors, got around Schael Higson and beat Jiri Patera for his 11th of the season.

When it looked like Medicine Hat had taken over the momentum, Brandon responded off an offensive zone faceoff. Stelio Mattheos won the draw to Schael Higson who hammered a point shot through traffic. Sogaard made the initial save but Mattheos was there to bury the rebound for his 23rd of the year.

Midway through the third period, Linden McCorrister buried his 9th of the year to give Brandon a two-goal lead. McCorrister’s goal was his fifth marker in his last three games.

Ben McCartney would seal the victory by putting his 6th of the year into the heart of an empty net with Mads Sogaard on the Tiger bench for an extra attacker.

Sogaard finished the night with an impressive 42 saves.

Brandon is now 14-7-3-3 on the season and will open up a home and home with the league-leading Prince Albert Raiders on Friday. (7:30 on QCountry Radio).

SCORING SUMMARY

1st PERIOD

BWK – Luka Burzan (17) (Reinhardt) 18:47

Shots: 13-10 Brandon

2nd PERIOD

M.H – Ryan Chyzowski (11) (Longo) 15:03
BWK – Stelio Mattheos (23) (Higson) 16:41

Shots: 20-13 Medicine Hat

3rd PERIOD

BWK – Linden McCorrister (9) (Gutenberg, Thompson) 6:00
BWK – Ben McCartney (6) (Unassisted) EN

Final Shots: 46-41 Brandon