Discussions

Seattle Thunderbirds: 7th in Western Conference, 8-11-1-2  
Top Scorers: Prab Rai (13+10=23), Jim O'Brien (8+13=21), David Richard (6+10=16), Jeremy Boyer (5+10=15)  
Top Defenceman: Thomas Hickey (4+5=9)  
Probable starting goalie: Calvin Pickard (5-6-1-2, 2.87, 0.896)  
Manitobans: Chris Cloud (Wayway), Devon Leblanc (Brandon), Jeremy Schappert (Winnipeg), Calvin Pickard (Winnipeg)  
 
 
Brandon Wheat Kings, 8th in Eastern Conference, 12-8-1-0  
Top Scorers: Jay Fehr (7+16=23), Brayden Schenn (10+11=21), Scott Glennie (8+12=20), Matt Calvert (7+12=19)  
Top Defenceman: Colby Robak? (6+8=14)  
Probable Starting Goalie: Toss a coin. Andrew Hayes earned another start but Priestner may get the nod against the under .500 opponent  
 
Taking centre stage among Wheat King fans' concerns will be the position of powerplay quarterback. The verdict on Colby Robak isn't officially in, but it doesn't sound very positive. Who will step up and lead offensively from the blueline in his absense for at least this game and possibly several more? Darren Bestland? Brodie Melnychuk?  
 
Seattle has a lot less scoring than the Calgary team we saw last night. Only three teams have scored less than their 66 goals so far this year. In their defense they do play in arguably the toughest division in the league, having to regularly play Spokane and Tri Cities. That said they did scoring five goals in a 5-3 win in Regina last night.  
 
Thunderbird goalie Calvin Pickard is little brother to Tri City star goalie Chet Pickard. With Jacob Deserres getting the start last night, Pickard may get the nod tonight.  
 
Thunderbird defenceman Thomas Hickey is one of the best defenceman in Canadian junior hockey. A member of last year's Canadian World Junior team, he's pretty much a lock to make the cut again this year. One to keep an eye on should Seattle decide to rebuild and move him at the trade deadline.