Photo by Brandi Crowe
Brandon, MB (CKLQ) – Stelio Mattheos (2G-2A) & Cole Reinhardt (2G-2A) were at it again as the Brandon Wheat Kings picked up their 5th straight victory, 5-1 over the Calgary Hitmen at Westoba Place.
In hockey, they say that a "quick-start" is important… The Wheat Kings took that to heart on Wednesday night as they fired three goals past Carl Stankowski on just three shots to open up an early 3-0 lead.
Just 0:30 into the hockey game, Ridly Greig streaked down the right wing and snapped a wicked wrist shot over the short-side shoulder of the Calgary netminder to open the scoring.
Brandon would add two more in the next 1:03 to chase Stankowski from the Hitmen goal. First, it was Stelio Mattheos, tipping home his 38th of the year, followed by a Cole Reinhardt powerplay goal to jump ahead to a quick three-goal lead.
Stankowski was pulled after allowing three goals on three shots. He was replaced by Jack McNaughton who stopped 17 shots in relief.
Despite the early hole, the Hitmen would bounce back and get on the board before the end of the period. Vladislav Yeryomenko was left uncovered as he entered the zone and the Nashville Predator prospect made no mistake, beating Jiri Patera for his 4th of the season.
The second period saw four goalposts and a handful of missed opportunities at both ends. Luckily for Brandon, Cole Reinhardt’s pinball goal late in the 2nd period restored the three-goal lead heading to the intermission.
An early third-period goal from Stelio Mattheos would be all the Wheat Kings would need. Brandon locked things down in the third period, keeping the Hitmen to the outside and sealing the victory,
The win for the Wheat Kings pulls them into a tie with the Red Deer Rebels with 63 points. When it comes to the final wild-card spot, in the event of a tie, a one-game playoff would be held to determine the final playoff occupant. That being said, there is plenty of hockey left to be played.
The busy stretch of hockey continues this week for the Wheat Kings. The club will welcome Saskatoon on Friday before embarking on a day trip to Prince Albert on Saturday. After this weekend, the ice at Westoba Place comes out in preparation for the Brier, sending the Wheat Kings on the road for six games in nine days.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st PERIOD
BWK – Ridly Greig (12) (McCartney, Wytinck) 0:30
BWK – Stelio Mattheos (38) (Schneider, Reinhardt) 4:20
BWK – Cole Reinhardt (20) (Mattheos, Wytinck) 5:32 PPG
CGY – Vladislav Yeryomenko (4) (Korczak, Coleman) 15:10
Shots: 9-6 Calgary
2nd PERIOD
BWK – Cole Reinhardt (21) (Burzan, Mattheos) 19:43
Shots: 9-5 Calgary
3rd PERIOD
BWK – Stelio Mattheos (39) (Reinhardt) 1:25
Final Shots: 28-22 Calgary
