Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663
Game day thread: Saskatoon @ Wheat Kings, 7:30 PM
1/9/2009 at 9:15 AM
Saskatoon Blades: 2nd in Eastern Conference, 27-11-2-1
Top Scorers: Derek Hulak (15+23=38), Stefan Elliot (13+21=34), Gaelan Patterson (12+16=28), Walker Wintoneak (12+16=28)
Top Defenceman: Stefan Elliot (13+21=34)
Probable starting goalie: Braden Holtby (22-10-1, 0.909, 2.62)
Manitobans: Walker Wintoneak (Flin Flon), Charles Inglis (Winnipeg), Ryan Funk (Morden)
Brandon Wheat Kings, 3rd in Eastern Conference, 25-13-2-1
Top Scorers: Scott Glennie (22+31=53), Jay Fehr (16+32=48), Brayden Schenn (17+28=45), Andrew Clark (21+21=42)
Top Defenceman: Colby Robak (6+13=19)
Probable Starting Goalie: Andrew Hayes (17-7-1-0, .900, 2.93)
Arguably the first truly meaningful game of the season for the Wheat Kings tonight, the East Division's top two teams the Wheaties and Blades hook up in a proverbial 4-point game. A Wheat King regulation win and the Wheaties would be two points behind the first place Blades. A regulation loss and the gap is six points.
Should be an interesting clash of styles as the Blades' defensive system will be put up against the Wheat Kings' speed/skill-oriented game. Interesting to note that Saskatoon has scored the least of any of the East Division's playoff teams (139 goals) yet have managed a combined 13 goals in three games versus the Wheat Kings so far compared to Brandon's eight.
Tonight will mark the return of Canadian World Junior gold medal winner Keith Aulie. I wonder who kids will be crowding around at the family skate after the game? :)
Mark Stone should also be back after his impressive performance with Team Western and the Under 17 holiday tournament.
Here's to hoping the Wheat Kings have Scott Glennie back in the lineup after a serious bout with the flu.
All eyes will be on pre-game lineups for one or both teams with trade deadline day being tomorrow. Any players conspicuous by their absense, or any players getting a more significant role than usual may set off the speculation train. I'll post lineups and line combos approx a half hour before game time.