Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663
Game day thread: Red Deer Rebels @ Wheat Kings, 7:30 PM
10/8/2010 at 4:10 PM
Red Deer Rebels (5-2-0, Tie-1st in Eastern Conference)
Top scorers: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (3 goals, 10 assists, 13 points), Andrej Kudrna (7+5=12), Byron Froese (3+8=11), John Persson (2+4=6)
Top scoring defenceman: Alex Petrovic (1+5=6)
Probable starting goaltender: Darcy Kuemper (5-2-0, 1.54 goals against average, 0.932 save percentage) is the top statistical goalie in the WHL so far and has played in all seven Rebel games so far which includes a start on Tuesday of this week and a win in relif of backup goalie Bolton Pouliot on Wednesday. Tonight would be his third game in four days with Red Deer also playing in Moose Jaw tomorrow it will be interesting to see how many starts he gets this weekend.
Manitobans: Chad Robinson (Minnedosa), Byron Froese (Winkler),
Brandon Wheat Kings (4-2-0, 3rd in Eastern Conference)
Top scorers: Mark Stone (3 goals, 7 assists, 10 points), David Toews (injured, 3+3=6), Darren Bestland (2+3=5), Wheaton King (2+3=5)
Top scoring defenceman: Bestland (2+3=5)
Probable starting goaltender: If the Wheat Kings stick to their rookie goaltending rotation, we will see Liam Liston (2-0-0, 2.00 goals against average, 0.922 save pct) tonight.
The Wheat Kings kick off what will be one of their most difficult weekends of the season tonight when they take on the Red Deer Rebels. The Rebels are of currently leading the Central division with a 5-2-0 record and are widely expected to be a serious contender in the Eastern Conference. Brandon will take on another WHL contender in Tri-City tomorrow.
The eyes of draft-watchers will be on Rebels' second-year player Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who is currently considered by many to be a top-five prospect for the June 2011 NHL entry draft. Nugent-Hopkins' 13 points have him currently tied for the WHL lead.
Brandon will feature a new mix of lines considering recent injuries. It will be interesting to see what players get opportunities to take on a role on a scoring line.
I'll have lineups approx a half hour before game time.