Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663
Game day thread: Moose Jaw @ Wheat Kings, 7:30 PM
12/17/2010 at 2:36 PM
Moose Jaw Warriors (19-12-0-2, 5th in Eastern Conference)
Top scorers: Quinton Howden (22 goals, 18 assists, 40 points), Dylan Hood (13+26=39), Antonin Honejsek (18+14=32), Spencer Edwards (13+17=30)
Top scoring defenceman: Collin Bowman (8+13=21)
Probable starting goaltender: Thomas Heemskerk (16-12-0-2, 3.03 goals against average, 0.904 save pct)
Manitobans: Jesse Paradis (Winnipeg), Brayden Cuthbert (Brandon), Quinton Howden (Oak Bank), Joel Edmundson (Brandon), Dylan Mcllrath (Winnipeg)
Brandon Wheat Kings (12-19-1-3, 10th in Eastern Conference)
Top scorers: Mark Stone (18 goals, 25 assists, 43 points), Scott Glennie (10+26=36), Shayne Wiebe (16+10=26), Brenden Walker (11+10=21)
Top scoring defenceman: Brodie Melnychuk (4+17=21)
Probable starting goaltender: Even though big-picture Liam Liston has started the huge majority of games, Corbin Boes has IMO played well enough that we will see each goalie split the last two starts before Christmas. I'll guess that it's Liston (10-12-0-1, 3.53 goals against average, 0.890 save pct) tonight.
If you're a believer in the law of averages, you probably feel pretty good about the Wheat Kings' chances in this weekend's home-and-home series with the Moose Jaw Warriors. That's because Moose Jaw has broken the Wheat Kings' hearts in three straight games, winning all three on game-winning goals scored with less than two minutes left.
Tonight's game is also the 36th game of the year for the Wheat Kings, which is of course significant because it marks the halfway point of the season. Finally tonight is the last time the Wheat Kings will play a home game in 2010, with next home action to be January 4 against Prince Albert.
Each team has contributed a key talent to the Canadian World Junior team. Warriors Quinton Howden and of course Wheat Kings' Brayden Schenn are both with Team Canada and will not play in this game.
I'll have scratches and lineups 30-45 minutes before game time. It would be great to hear what others think about who we'll see in goal and what the team's chances are of a second straight win.