The Brandon Wheat Kings made it 10 straight wins on Friday night when the Victoria Royals were in town. That meant they were in search of their 11th straight win on Saturday when the Lethbridge Hurricanes made a stop in the Wheat City.
Things certainly started off on a great note for Brandon as the team took a 3-0 lead into the second period. However, the ‘Canes pulled off a stretch that saw them score four straight goals and they ended up picking up two points in a 6-5 overtime win against Brandon on Saturday evening. Despite the loss, the Wheat Kings’ point streak has increased to 11 games.
“I thought it was a hard-fought game and I really liked our start and execution in the first 20 minutes,” said Dave Lowry, head coach, after the game courtesy of wheatkings.com. “We weren’t as good as we needed to be after the first period as we’ll need to be going forward. We have to grow from this game and improve as a group.”
4:35 into the game, Cole Reinhardt tallied his 24th of the season as Brandon took a 1-0 lead. They held that lead for about five more minutes, until they increased it. 9:11 into the game, Ridly Greig scored his 17th of the campaign, putting Brandon up 2-0. Ben McCartney then made it 3-0 with 6:12 left in the opening frame.
Making another start, Jiri Patera was a perfect 7-for-7 in the first. Bryan Thomson, meanwhile, was 8-for-11 in the first period and he was pulled after the frame.
Bringing in Carl Tetachuk, Lethbridge certainly provided the all-star goalie with some help.
3:41 into the second period, Logan Barlage scored his 16th of the season, bringing Lethbridge to within two. However, Brandon quickly responded.
At the 6:55 mark, Reid Perepeluk scored his fifth of the season. If the name Reid Perepeluk isn’t one you recognize, that’s because this was his first goal with the team. He scored four goals with the Prince George Cougars to begin the season.
The goal gave Brandon a 4-1 lead. Lethbridge then took over.
7:41 into the period, Dylan Cozens scored his 27th of the season, and at the 15:49 mark, Danila Palivko scored his first of the season to bring Lethbridge within a goal.
Brandon still had a 4-3 lead after 40 minutes, but the ‘Canes quickly erased that deficit in the third. Just 2:42 in, Chase Wheatcroft beat Patera to tie the contest up. 7:47 into the third, Lethbridge took its first lead of the game when Logan Barlage scored his second goal of the game and 17th of the season.
Now trailing 5-4, it was Marcus Sekundiak’s turn. 9:13 into the third, he scored his 17th of the season to tie the game up and it ended up going into overtime tied at five.
3:12 into overtime, Dylan Cozens scored his second of the game as Lethbridge skated off with the extra point.
“I like the way we played tonight. There was no quit with us,” said Lowry. “When we got down, we dug in and found a way to get a point.”
The Wheat Kings will now hit the road. They start the trip with a game in Edmonton on Tuesday. On Wednesday, they’re in Red Deer before they play Calgary and Medicine Hat on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
“This trip will be a really good challenge for us. Everyone on the trip presents a good challenge,” concluded Lowry.
Wheat Tips:
- Brandon went 0-for-5 on the power play while Lethbridge finished 1-for-6.
- Dylan Cozens and Logan Barlage both led the ‘Canes with two goals and one assist.
- This loss was Brandon’s first in 2020.
