Photo by Brandi Crowe
Brandon, MB (CKLQ) – Riley Lamb was outstanding for the Swift Current Broncos, but the Brandon Wheat Kings got the last laugh in a 3-2 shootout victory on Friday night.
The Wheat Kings, looking to snap a two-game losing streak, came out flying in the first period, dominating the possession game and outshooting the Broncos 21-6.
After peppering Broncos netminder Riley Lamb, it was Baron Thompson who finally opened the scoring for the Wheat Kings. After a Caiden Daley point shot hit a shinpad, Thompson followed up and snapped his 6th of the year off the post and in to break the scoreless deadlock.
The goaltending clinic continued in the 2nd period for the Broncos as Lamb turned aside 18/19 shots he faced.
Braden Schneider would find a way to beat the red hot goalie as his 8th of the season on a two-on-one gave the Wheat Kings a 2-0 lead.
The lead wouldn’t last long as Finnish import Joona Kiviniemi fired a wicked wrist shot to the top shelf over Ethan Kruger to bring the Broncos back within one.
In the third, Riley Lamb continued to stand on his head turning aside all 11 shots he faced, including several of highlight reel variety.
With just 1:20 left, and Lamb on the bench the Broncos would tie the game. Ethan O’Rourke found a loose puck in the slot and buried it past Kruger to send the game to overtime.
Lamb, who was born and raised just outside of Brandon in Rivers, MB finished the night with 53 saves while Ethan Kruger kicked aside 20 of 22 for the win.
After a scoreless extra frame, these two teams headed to a shootout for the 2nd time this season. This time, it was Kruger’s turn to shine as he stopped all three Bronco shooters while Ben McCartney’s 3rd shootout goal of the season would stand up as the game-winner. McCartney is now 3/4 in the shootout in his WHL career.
The win, combined with the Calgary loss and Red Deer OT loss inches Brandon that much closer to a playoff spot. The Wheat Kings are now six points back of Calgary and seven points behind the Rebels for the top wildcard spot.
Brandon is back in action Sunday afternoon as they travel to Saskatoon for a rematch with the Blades. (4:00 on QCountry Radio)
SCORING SUMMARY
1st PERIOD
BWK – Baron Thompson (6) (Daley, Thorpe) 17:49
Shots: 21-6 Brandon
2nd PERIOD
BWK – Braden Schneider (8) (McCallum, Sekundiak) 13:48
SC – Joona Kiviniemi (13) (Moar) 18:48
Shots: 19-6 Brandon
3rd PERIOD
SC – Ethan O’Rourke (10) (Moar, Horning) 18:40 6on5
Shots: 11-9 Brandon
OVERTIME
No Scoring
Final Shots: 55-22 Brandon
SHOOTOUT
SC – Ethan Regnier – No Goal
BWK – Ben McCartney – GOAL
SC – Joona Kiviniemi – No Goal
BWK – Stelio Mattheos – No Goal
SC – Connor Horning – No Goal
