Game day thread: Moose Jaw @ Wheat Kings, 7:30 PM
3/5/2010 at 11:48 AM
Moose Jaw Warriors (32-24-5-5, 7th in Eastern Conference)
Top scorers: Quinton Howden (28+37=65), Brendan Rowinski (29+30=59), Jason Bast (27+30=57), Thomas Frazee (20+29=49)
Top scoring defenceman: Ryan Stanton (10+30=40)
Full team scoring: http://whl.ca/stats/statdisplay.php?type=skaters&subType=10&season_id=234&leagueId=26&lastActive=&singleSeason=&confId=0
Probable starting goalie: Jeff Bosch (24-18-3-2 record, 3.10 goals against average, 0.905 save percentage)
Manitobans: Jesse Paradis (Winnipeg), Brendan Rowinski (Winnipeg), Quinton Howden (Oak Bank, injured), Dylan Mcllrath (Winnipeg)
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Brandon Wheat Kings (45-18-1-3, 2nd in Eastern Conference)
Top scorers: Brayden Schenn (29+56=85), Matt Calvert (41+43=84), Aaron Lewadniuk (32+45=77), Scott Glennie (28+48=76)
Top scoring defenceman: Colby Robak (14+47=61)
Full team scoring: http://whl.ca/stats/statdisplay.php?type=skaters
Probable starting goalie: Jacob De Serres (23-8-1-1 record, 2.93 goals against average, 0.899 save percentage)
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With the WHL playoffs to start in approx two weeks, Wheat King fans will have the opportunity to witness a preview of a very possible first round matchup tonight when the Wheat Kings host the Moose Jaw Warriors. If the playoffs were to start today, these two teams would in fact meet in the first round.
Tonight's game along with the team's other four remaining games have to be considered must-win should the Wheat Kings hope to finish first place in the Eastern Conference. The other two teams in the race for first, Saskatoon and Calgary, are idle tonight.
The game isn't without meaning for the Warriors, who have yet to clinch a playoff spot. Their magic number to clinch is at two, and a win tonight would go a long way to guaranteeing a post-season birth.
The Warriors reportedly have notable injuries to 2010 NHL draft prospects Quinton Howden and Dylan Mcllrath. Howden (their leading scorer) will definitely not play tonight, Mcllrath is listed as day-to day. Brandon is still without a 2010 draft prospect of their own in Mark Stone, along with having injuries to Ryley Miller, Mark Schneider and Paul Ciarelli. Ciarelli is close to returning and may be in the lineup tonight.
The other plotline tonight is of course Travis Hamonic's first game against his old team since being traded to Brandon in January. Dallas Ehrhardt, who went to Moose Jaw in that trade, may also play tonight for the Warriors.
Just to clarify, tonight is NOT rain check night. Those looking to exchange un-used tickets will have the opportunity to do so for WEDNESDAY'S game
Scratches and lineups will be posted to this thread approx 45 minutes before game time.