Photo by Brandi Pollock
Dauphin, MB (CKLQ) – The Brandon Wheat Kings thrilled the crowd in Dauphin on Wednesday night with a 5-3 win over the Medicine Hat Tigers. The win even’s the WHL Eastern Conference quarter-final at two games a piece.
The Wheat Kings came out flying in the first period, firing 16 shots at the Tiger goal. That the most 1st period shots the Wheat Kings have had in this series so far.
Once again, the 4th line created the offense for Brandon as Ben McCartney fed Daniel Bukac, who snapped home his first goal of the series. Bukac’s goal was the first time Brandon has opened the scoring in the series.
Just 1:11 later, Stelio Mattheos carried the puck over the Tiger line and sent the water bottle flying as he beat Michael Bullion over the shoulder to give Brandon a 2-0 lead at the first intermission.
In the 2nd, Brandon’s special teams was key. The Wheat Kings got just their 2nd powerplay goal of the series when Cole Reinhart tapped home a rebound, opening up a 3-0 lead.
The Tigers would respond however as Josh Williams beat Dylan Myskiw with a wrist shot to spoil the shutout bid.
The Wheat Kings would seal the game in the third period with goals from Linden McCorrister and Gunnar Wegleitner. Wegleitner, finished the night with a goal and an assist and was named the game’s 3rd star.
Dylan Myskiw picked up his 2nd consecutive victory, making 38 saves for Brandon while Michael Bullion stopped 31 shots in his first appearance of the series.
The Wheat Kings penalty kill was a perfect five for five on the night while the Tigers allowed one powerplay goal on just two opportunities.
Game five of this series will be played on Friday at the Canalta Centre in Medicine Hat. (8:30 MB time puck drop)
CROWE’S NOTES:
-Baron Thompson served the 3rd and final game of his suspension tonight. He is now eligible to return to the Wheat Kings lineup for Game #5.
-The Wheat Kings scratched Logan Thompson (Lower Body), Baron Thompson (Susp), Ty Ettinger (Healthy) & Jonny Hooker (Upper Body).
-Gunnar Wegleitner, Cole Reinhardt, Daniel Bukac and Linden McCorrister each scored their first career WHL Playoff goals in Game #4.
-Attendance at Credit Union Place was 1,271.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st PERIOD
BWK – Daniel Bukac (1) (McCartney, Wegleitner) 17:39
BWK – Stelio Mattheos (1) (Schneider) 18:50
Shots: 16-7 Brandon
2nd PERIOD
BWK – Cole Reinhardt (1) (Shearer, Weinger) 10:34 PPG
M.H – Josh Williams (2) (Quenneville, Gally) 16:59
Shots: 16-12 Medicine Hat
3rd PERIOD
BWK – Linden McCorrister (1) (Unassisted) 2:48
M.H – Mark Rassell (5) (Unassisted) 5:41
BWK – Gunnar Wegleitner (1) (Unassisted) 10:12
Final Shots: 40-36 Medicine Hat
