Discussions

A little bit later than usual with the game day thread in lieu of a busy day...  
 
Saskatoon Blades (2-0-0)  
 
Leading Scorers: Josh Nicholls (2+1=3), Marek Viedensky (2+1=3), Darian Dziurzynski (2+0=2)  
 
Top Scoring Defenceman: Stefan Elliot (1+1=2)  
 
Probable Starting Goalie: Steven Stanford (2-0, 3.50 goals against average, 0.908 save pct) has started both Blades games so far. The Saskatoon Star Phoenix is saying that Adam Morrison, freshly returned from Philadelphia Flyers training camp, will be making his season debut tonight. The Blades also have Adam Iwan on their roster and are expected to make a goalie move in the coming weeks.  
 
Manitobans: Brett Stovin (Stoney Mountain), Adam Iwan (Winnipeg)  
 
 
 
 
Brandon Wheat Kings (3-0-0)  
 
Leading Scorers: Mark Stone (2+6=8), Darren Bestland (2+3=5), Brenden Walker (2+3=5)  
 
Top Scoring Defenceman: Bestland (2+3=5)  
 
Probable Starting Goalie: Flip a coin... and then flip it a few more times We could see rookie Corbin Boes get his first start, we could see Liam Liston (1-0, 4.00 Goals against avg, 0.857 save pct) get his second-straight home start, we could see Coach McCrimmon stay with the hot hand and start Ty Rimmer (2-0, 1.50 GAA, 0.940 save pct) again or we could see Jacob De Serres prove his worth either to the Wheat Kings or a potential trade partner. I'll guess Liston... thoughts?  
 
 
 
 
It may be early in the season and the cast may have changed, but already a familiar plot is starting to emerge as the Wheat Kings and Blades hook up tonight in an early first-place East Division showdown. Saskatoon is expected to be one of the top teams in the division and league this year, with several key veterans returning from the team that lost to the Wheaties in six games in the Eastern Conference semi-finals last season. Brandon was expected to be in rebuild mode but have played quite well so far in games against Regina and Moose Jaw.  
 
Tonight will mark Scott Glennie's first game at Westman Place since being returned from Dallas Stars' training camp. I believe he had been skating on a line with Shayne Wiebe and David Toews. Of note, he did sit out practice yesterday after "taking a stick to the chops" on Wednesday according to Lubers Lounge.  
 
Interesting to note that despite the good teams they've had recently, a win would give the Wheat Kings their first 4-0 start since 1994.  
 
I'll post scratches and lineups approx a half hour before game time. It'd be great to hear others thoughts on this game and the matchup.  
 
Links:  
Saskatoon Star Phoenix article  
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/sports/Blades+back+action+three+straight+nights/3607766/story.html  
 
Wheatkings.com article  
http://www.wheatkings.com/article/wheat-kings-to-host-the-blades