Coaches Corner for November 9th

Wheat Kings Dump Tigers

The Brandon Wheat Kings jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period and went on to a 5-1 victory over the Medicine Hat Tigers on Saturday night.

Brayden Schenn had a goal and two assists for the Wheat Kings while Matt Calvert added his league-leading fifth shorthanded goal of the season.

Scott Glennie opened the scoring 3:25 into the third period with Schenn and Brodie Melnychuk also scoring for Brandon in the opening 20 minutes.

After being shut out on Friday night, Brandon GM/Coach Kelly McCrimmon said on CKLQ's post-game show that he thought getting some goals early was important for the club.

"I think given (Friday) night, the fact that we had as much trouble putting the puck in the net as we did, I think it was good for our team to get that first one," says McCrimmon, "Then, our team was able to build a 3-0 lead early in the game."

Toni Rajala also scored for the Wheat Kings while Andrew Hayes stopped 29 shots in the Brandon net.

The Wheat Kings welcomed defenceman Alexander Urbom back to their lineup after he missed Friday's game against Prince Albert and the 19-year old made a noticable difference.

"He just finished playing Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday with his Swedish World Junior Team, he travelled Monday to Montreal and travelled back Friday from Montreal so I'm sure he's going to need a few days here to recharge at some point," says McCrimmon, "I thought he made a big difference in the game tonight and played very well."

The Wheat Kings improved to 11-8-0-2 with the victory.

The club is idle until Wednesday, when they host the Prince George Cougars (2:30 p.m., Westman Communications Group Place).

Chaff...C Paul Ciarelli also returned to the Brandon lineup Saturday after missing five games with a shoulder injury...D Mark Schneider sat out Saturday with a leg injury while F Klarc Wilson (illness), F Mark Stone (thumb), F Jordan DePape (foot) and F Wheaton King (healthy) were the other Brandon scratches...the Wheat Kings are now a perfect 7-and-0 on Saturday's this season.

Tigers/Wheat Kings Notes

Medicine Hat Tigers (10-8-2-2) at Brandon Wheat Kings (10-8-0-2)
Saturday, November 7, 2009 - 7:30 p.m. (CST), Westman Communications Group Place

Brandon Game Notes: The Brandon Wheat Kings continue their five-game home stand on Saturday night when they host the Medicine Hat Tigers (7:00 p.m., CKLQ). The Wheat Kings opened the home stand Friday with a 4-0 loss to the Prince Albert Raiders. Garrett Zemlak stopped 42 shots for the Raiders as the Wheat Kings were blanked for the first time since January 1, 2007 – a span of 194 games – and for the first time on home ice since November 11, 2006. Jacob De Serres made 18 saves for Brandon in his first start on home ice this season.

Vs. Medicine Hat: Saturday’s meeting is the first of four between the Wheat Kings and Tigers this season and the first time the two teams have met since Brandon swept Medicine Hat in the second round of the WHL playoffs last spring. During the regular season in 2008-2009, Brandon went 3-1-0-0 against the Tigers.
Next Meeting:
Nov.17 – Brandon at Medicine Hat, 8:00 p.m. (CST)

Last Five Games:
(2-2-0-1 15 GF, 19 GA Brd PP: 6-23 (26.1%) Brd PK: 15-23 (65.2%)
Nov. 6 – Prince Albert 4 at Brandon 0 – Zemlak 42 Saves.
Oct.31 – Brandon 5 at Lethbridge 4 – Van de Velde 2 goals including GWG w/13 secs left.
Oct.30 – Brandon 1 at Kootenay 2 – Lewadniuk G. De Serres 28 Saves.
Oct.28 – Brandon 5 at Spokane 4 – Schenn 2 G’s including GWG w/5:18 left.
Oct.27 – Brandon 4 at Portland 5 (Shootout) – Fehr 2 G’s. WK’s rallied from 4-1 deficit.

Next Five Games:
Nov.11 – Prince George at Brandon, 2:30 p.m. (CST)
Nov.13 – Saskatoon at Brandon, 7:30 p.m. (CST)
Nov.15 – Regina at Brandon, 6:00 p.m. (CST)
Nov.17 – Brandon at Medicine Hat, 8:00 p.m. (CST)
Nov.18 – Brandon at Swift Current, 7:30 p.m. (CST)

Special Teams: The Wheat Kings’ power play went 0-for-8 against Prince Albert Friday night, just the second time in the last nine games they had failed to score a power-play goal. Brandon was 11-for-37 (29.7%) is their previous eight games before Friday. Overall, Brandon is ranked 15th in the WHL with a 17.0% success rate. On the penalty-kill, the Wheat Kings have allowed at least one power-play goal against in nine consecutive games, going 25-for-40 (62.5%) in that span. Overall, Brandon is ranked 21st in the WHL at 72.7 %. On the plus side, the Wheat Kings are tied for the WHL lead with seven shorthanded goals this season.

Roster: Brandon designated second-year centre Jesse Hall for assignment earlier this week, reducing their roster to 25 players (2 goaltenders, 7 defensemen and 16 forwards). The Wheat Kings’ roster includes 14 Manitobans, 7 Albertans, 2 Saskatchewanians and 2 imports.

Drafted Players: F Brayden Schenn (Los Angeles, 1st Round, 5th overall in 2009); F Scott Glennie (Dallas, 1st Round, 8th overall in 2009); F Toni Rajala (Edmonton, 4th Round, 101st overall in 2009, SIGNED); D Alexander Urbom (New Jersey, 3rd Round, 73rd overall in 2009, SIGNED); D Colby Robak (Florida, 2nd Round, 46th overall in 2008); F Matt Calvert (Columbus, 5th round, 127th overall in 2008); G Jacob De Serres (Philadelphia, 3rd Round, 84th overall in 2008).

Injury Report: F Mark Stone (thumb, indefinite), F Jordan DePape (foot, indefinite), F Paul Ciarelli (shoulder, day-to-day), F Klarc Wilson (illness, day-to-day).

Who’s Hot: F Jay Fehr had a WHL-high 13-game point streak (8 G, 10 A) come to an end on Friday…F Aaron Lewadniuk had a nine-game point streak (7 G, 8 A) end on Friday…F Brayden Schenn has points in seven of the last nine games (7 G, 5 A)…F Matt Calvert has points in seven of the last nine games (5 G, 11 A).

Milestones: G Andrew Hayes is 13 saves shy of 2000 for his Wheat Kings’ career…C Brayden Schenn recently played his 150th career game. Schenn has 68 goals, 180 points and a +50 rating in 152 games in his Wheat Kings’ career…F Matt Calvert recently passed the 150 point mark for his career. Calvert has 61 goals and 151 points in 146 career games entering Saturday’s contest…F Scott Glennie is four points shy of 150 for his career…D Brodie Melnychuk will play in his 150th career game on Saturday.

Stats’N’That: F Jay Fehr is tied 19th in the WHL with 10 goals and tied for 16th in scoring with 24 points…D Mark Schneider leads the Wheat Kings and is tied for 12th in the WHL with a +12 rating…D Colby Robak is tied for 17th in defenceman scoring in the WHL with 13 points…F Matt Calvert leads the WHL with four shorthanded goals…F Brayden Schenn leads the WHL with three shorthanded assists…F Aaron Lewadniuk is tied for 16th in the WHL with four power-play goals…G Andrew Hayes leads the WHL with four shutouts…Hayes is tied for 4th in the WHL with nine wins.

Did You Know: D Colby Robak was named the Tip Top Tailors Wheat Kings Player of the Month for September/October. Robak had two goals, 13 points and a +11 rating in 18 games during the period…D Alexander Urbom participated in a training session with the Swedish Junior Team this week in Montreal. The squad played three exhibition games against CIS schools in preparation for the 2010 World Junior Championship…three members of the Wheat Kings have been named to Team WHL for next month’s Subway Super Series. Robak, F Brayden Schenn, F Scott Glennie will all play against the Russian Selects in the November 25th game in Victoria…Brandon is averaging 4662 fans per game through eight home games this season…Brandon is undefeated on Saturday’s so far this season, going 6-0-0-0 including a 2-0-0-0 record on home ice.

Zemlak the Story as Raiders Blank Wheat Kings

The Brandon Wheat Kings were shutout for the first time in 35 months on Friday night, dropping a 4-0 decision to the Prince Albert Raiders.

Garrett Zemlak stopped 42 shots for the Raiders while Dustin Cameron scored a pair of goals for Prince Albert.

A handful of Zemlak's saves would fall into the spetacular category including a glove stop off Aaron Lewadniuk on a 5-on-3 Brandon power-play chance late in the second period.

It's the first time since January 1st, 2007 that the Wheat Kings had failed to score a goal, a span of 194 games.

It was also the first time Brandon had been shut out on home ice since November 11th, 2006.

Jacob De Serres stopped 18 shots in the Brandon net while Jordan Hickmott and Craig McCallum scored the other goals for Prince Albert.

The Wheat Kings, who are 3-4-0-1 on home ice this season, are back in action Satuurday night as they play host to the Medicine Hat Tigers (7:30 p.m., Westman Communications Group Place).

Chaff...the shut out brought an end to Jay Fehr's league-high 13-game point streak while Aaron Lewadniuk saw his nine-game point streak end...D Alexander Urbom sat out Friday's contest after arriving back in Brandon from Montreal following a week-long training camp with the Swedish National Junior Team. The camp included three games against CIS opponents...Brandon's other scratches on Friday were F Klarc Wilson (illness), F Paul Ciarelli (shoulder, day-to-day), F Mark Stone (thumb, indefinite), F Jordan DePape (foot, indefinite).

Sinatynski Back with Wheat Kings

Rookie forward Jesse Sinatynski is back with the Brandon Wheat Kings and hoping to stick around for a while.

The 17-year old Sinatynski played one game earlier this season but was sidelined for a month with a back injury that's related to his scoliosis (curvature of the spine).

"I took about two weeks off from skating but I was still working out with my chiropractor at home," says Sinatynski, who'll have surgery in the off-season to correct the problem with his back, "Last couple of weeks, I went back on the ice with the Midget AAA's and then Kelly (McCrimmon) asked me to come back here."

Sinatynski ended up spending most of October back at home in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.

"I just needed a break, away from the rink and stuff," says Sinatynski, a 13th round pick of the Wheat Kings in the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft, "Kelly (McCrimmon) that is was a good idea to go home and take a little bit of a break."

Sinatynski had 31 goals and 64 points with Fort Saskatchewan in the Alberta AAA Midget Hockey League last season.

Sinatynski, who had practiced all this past week, played for the Wheat Kings in Friday's loss against Prince Albert and went pointless with an even plus/minus rating.

Raiders/Wheat Kings' Notes

Prince Albert Raiders (9-8-0-1) at Brandon Wheat Kings (10-7-0-2)
Friday, November 6, 2009 - 7:30 p.m. (CST), Westman Communications Group Place

Brandon Game Notes: The Brandon Wheat Kings open a five-game home stand on Friday night when they play host to the Prince Albert Raiders (7:00 p.m., CKLQ). The Wheat Kings are coming off a seven-game, 13-day road trip that saw the team go 4-2-0-1 with victories in Seattle, Everett, Spokane and Lethbridge. Brandon enters Friday’s contest in a tie for fourth-place in the Eastern Conference, two points behind third-place Moose Jaw.

Vs. Prince Albert: Friday’s meeting is the second of eight meetings between the Wheat Kings and Raiders during the 2009-2010 regular season. In their only other meeting, the regular season opener for both teams, Prince Albert scored a 6-1 victory over Brandon on September 18th in PA. Last season, Brandon went 5-0-0-1 vs. the Raiders.
Previous Meetings:
(0-1-0-0 1 GF, 6 GA Brd PP: 1-5 (20.0%) Brd PK: 2-3 (66.7%)
Sept.18 – Brandon 1 at Prince Albert 6 – Melnychuk had WKs only goal.
Next Meeting:
Dec. 4 – Brandon at Prince Albert, 7:00 p.m. (CST)

Last Five Games:
(3-1-0-1 20 GF, 17 GA Brd PP: 6-23 (26.1%) Brd PK: 15-23 (65.2%)
Oct.31 – Brandon 5 at Lethbridge 4 – Van de Velde 2 goals including GWG w/13 secs left.
Oct.30 – Brandon 1 at Kootenay 2 – Lewadniuk G. De Serres 28 Saves.
Oct.28 – Brandon 5 at Spokane 4 – Schenn 2 G’s including GWG w/5:18 left.
Oct.27 – Brandon 4 at Portland 5 (Shootout) – Fehr 2 G’s. WK’s rallied from 4-1 deficit.
Oct.24 – Brandon 5 at Everett 2 – Fehr 2-1-3. WKs scored four goals in 3rd period.

Next Five Games:
Nov. 7 – Medicine Hat at Brandon, 7:30 p.m. (CST)
Nov.11 – Prince George at Brandon, 2:30 p.m. (CST)
Nov.13 – Saskatoon at Brandon, 7:30 p.m. (CST)
Nov.15 – Regina at Brandon, 6:00 p.m. (CST)
Nov.17 – Brandon at Medicine Hat, 8:00 p.m. (CST)

Special Teams: The Wheat Kings’ power play is 11-for-37 (29.7%) is their last eight games after going 3-for-38 in their previous nine games. Overall, Brandon is ranked 14th in the WHL with an 18.6% success rate. On the penalty-kill, the Wheat Kings have allowed at least one power-play goal against in eight consecutive games, going 22-for-35 (62.9%) in that span. Overall, Brandon is ranked 21st in the WHL at 73.6 %. On the plus side, the Wheat Kings are tied for the WHL lead with seven shorthanded goals this season.

Roster: Brandon designated 2nd-year C Jesse Hall for assignment earlier this week to reduce their roster to 25 players (2 goaltenders, 7 defensemen and 16 forwards). The Wheat Kings’ roster includes 14 Manitobans, 7 Albertans, 2 Saskatchewanians and 2 imports.

Drafted Players: F Brayden Schenn (Los Angeles, 1st Round, 5th overall in 2009); F Scott Glennie (Dallas, 1st Round, 8th overall in 2009); F Toni Rajala (Edmonton, 4th Round, 101st overall in 2009, SIGNED); D Alexander Urbom (New Jersey, 3rd Round, 73rd overall in 2009, SIGNED); D Colby Robak (Florida, 2nd Round, 46th overall in 2008); F Matt Calvert (Columbus, 5th round, 127th overall in 2008); G Jacob De Serres (Philadelphia, 3rd Round, 84th overall in 2008).

Injury Report: F Mark Stone (thumb, indefinite), F Jordan DePape (foot, indefinite), F Paul Ciarelli (shoulder, day-to-day), F Klarc Wilson (illness, day-to-day).

Who’s Hot: F Jay Fehr is on an 13-game point streak (8 G, 10 A). The 13-game streak is the longest in the WHL this season…F Aaron Lewadniuk is on an nine-game point streak (7 G, 8 A)…F Brayden Schenn has points in seven of the last eight games (7 G, 5 A)…F Matt Calvert has points in seven of the last eight games (5 G, 11 A)…

Milestones: G Andrew Hayes is 13 saves shy of 2000 for his Wheat Kings’ career…C Brayden Schenn recently played his 150th career game. Schenn has 68 goals, 180 points and a +51 rating in 151 games in his Wheat Kings’ career…F Matt Calvert recently passed the 150 point mark for his career. Calvert has 61 goals and 151 points in 145 career games entering Friday’s contest…F Scott Glennie is four points shy of 150 for his career…D Brodie Melnychuk will play in his 149th career game on Friday.

Stats’N’That: F Jay Fehr is tied 17th in the WHL with 10 goals, tied for 17th with 14 assists and tied for 11th in scoring with 24 points…D Mark Schneider leads the Wheat Kings and is tied for 10th in the WHL with a +12 rating…D Colby Robak is tied for 16th in defenceman scoring in the WHL with 13 points…F Matt Calvert leads the WHL with four shorthanded goals…F Brayden Schenn leads the WHL with three shorthanded assists…F Aaron Lewadniuk is tied for 15th in the WHL with four power-play goals…G Andrew Hayes leads the WHL with four shutouts…Hayes is tied for second in the WHL with nine wins.

Did You Know : D Colby Robak was named the Tip Top Tailors Wheat Kings Player of the Month for September/October. Robak had two goals, 13 points and a +11 rating in 18 games during the period…D Alexander Urbom participated in a training session with the Swedish Junior Team this week in Montreal. The squad played three exhibition games against CIS schools in preparation for the 2010 World Junior Championship with Urbom participating in the first two on Tuesday and Wednesday…three members of the Wheat Kings have been named to Team WHL for next month’s Subway Super Series. Robak, F Brayden Schenn, F Scott Glennie will all play against the Russian Selects in the November 23rd game in Victoria…Brandon is averaging 4709 fans per game through seven home games this season…Brandon is 0-for-4 in 5-on-3 power-play opportunities for far this season.

Wheat Kings Open Home Stand Friday

The Brandon Wheat Kings hope to build on a successful road trip when they host the Prince Albert Raiders Friday night (7:30 p.m., Westman Communications Group Place).

It's the first game of a five-game home stand for the Wheat Kings, who are .500 through seven home games this season (3-3-0-1).

"We're finally getting some traction here, stringing some wins together and stuff and we'll just have to bring that at home," says defenceman Brodie Melnychuk, "It's weird that we haven't had as much success as we'd like to at home with the nice crowds and everything but it's something that's going to come."

The Wheat Kings enter the weekend in a tie for fourth-place in the WHL's Eastern Conference, two points behind third-place Moose Jaw and ten behind the first-place Saskatoon Blades.

"We had a little stumble there at the start but that's stuff you have to work through, every season has its ups and downs," says Melnychuk, "I'm sure we're going to start rolling here and get right back in the thick of things."

Second-year centre Paul Ciarelli should return to the Brandon lineup Friday night after missing four games with a shoulder injury.

Chaff...Brandon is averaging 4709 fans per game through seven home games this season...Wheat Kings' F Jay Fehr takes a WHL-high 13-game point scoring streak into Friday's contest...Brandon rookie Klarc Wilson has been absent from practice all week due to illness and is doubtful to play this weekend...G Dalyn Flette, whom the Wheat Kings traded to Prince Albert October 5th, has seen action in just one game with the Raiders...Brandon product Ryan White had an assist in his NHL debut Thursday, helping Montreal to a 2-1 shootout victory over Boston...former Wheat Kings' captain Ryan Craig cleared re-entry waivers and re-joined the Tampa Bay Lightning in time to play in Thursday's game vs. Ottawa.

Wheat Kings Preventative in Flu Fight

The Brandon Wheat Kings are taking some precautions to try and keep the flu bug out of their dressing room.

Wheat Kings' GM/Coach Kelly McCrimmon says they've been proactive in trying to keep the areas they use as clean and sanitary as possible.

"Our weight room is an area where germs can be transferred so we make sure do a good job in keeping that area clean and making sanitizing lotion available for our players to use that we didn't go a year ago," says McCrimmon, "In our dressing room, it's the same things; we try to keep it as clean as possible."

McCrimmon also says they've instructed their players on the importance of nutrition and rest.

"I think you want to make sure you're keeping yourself as strong as you can and as rested as you can," says McCrimmon, "I think that people that are run-down are more susceptible to catching flu's or colds than people that are well rested."

McCrimmon says the team makes seasonal flu shots available to their players on an annual basis and will be doing so again this year.

"We're no different than a lot of people in Manitoba. We'll have to wait until our group is eligible to receive the serum but we'll get our flu shots as soon as possible," says McCrimmon, "Then, 2-3 weeks down the line, when the H1N1 shots become available, we'll have those available to our players as well."

The Wheat Kings' precaution comes as another CHL team is dealing with a major flu issue.

The QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats had to postpone a pair of games this weekend after two players tested positive for the H1N1 virus.

The team doctors says 15 other players and team staff are also suffering from flu-like symptoms.

The players were given vaccines for seasonal and H1N1 last week, but it takes 8-10 days for the H1N1 vaccination to take full effect.

White Joins Habs (and other Pro Notes)

Brandon product Ryan White could make his National Hockey League debut Thursday night when Montreal visits Boston.

The 21-year old White (right) was recalled by the Canadiens from the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs on Wednesday.

White had three goals and seven points in 11 games with Hamilton so far this season.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning have placed former Wheat Kings' captain Ryan Craig on re-entry waivers.

Craig was waived by the team and assigned to their AHL affiliate in Norfolk in early October.

Any team that claims Craig on re-enty waivers would be responsible for only half his salary.

If no other team claims him, we would re-join the Lightning.

Craig had scored seven goals and nine points in 11 games with Norfolk this season.

In other pro hockey notes, Binscarth product Cody McLeod has been activated by the Colorado Avalanche from the injury reserve after missing two weeks with an eye injury; former Wheat King Erik Christensen has passed through waivers and is now awaiting the decision from Anaheim on where he will play next and former Brandon captain Mark Derlago has loaned to the AHL's Providence Bruins by Idaho of the ECHL.

Wheat Kings Notebook

The Brandon Wheat Kings reduced their roster by one on Wednesday, designating 18-year old centre Jesse Hall for assignment.

In his two seasons with the Wheat Kings, Hall (right) had one goal and six points in 46 games including three assists in 17 games this season.

Hall's release leaves the Wheat Kings with 25 players on their roster -- 16 forwards, seven defencemen and two goaltenders.

Meanwhile, import defenceman Alexander Urbom is in Montreal this week.

Urbom is skating with the Swedish Junior Team for a few days as part of a training session for the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championship.

Urbom (left) will arrive back in Brandon Thursday and is expected to be in the Wheat Kings' lineup this weekend.

In injury news, rookie forward Jordan DePape is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a broken foot and could return to the lineup in 10-14 days; Mark Stone is still 3-4 weeks away from returning from a broken thumb; Paul Ciarelli is day-to-day with a shoulder injury and Jesse Sinatynski is back in Brandon.

The 17-year old was home in Aberta for a month to recovery from a back injury but is back practicing with the Wheat Kings and could play this weekend.

Brandon's next action is Friday night when they open a five-game home stand by hosting the Prince Albert Raiders.