DUBNetwork Feature game of the night: Blades @ Wheat Kings 7:30 PM CST
Two teams hotter than flaming hot cheetos will take to the ice tonight with one of them inevitably ending their win streaks. The Saskatoon Blades come in riding a seven game winning streak, while the Brandon Wheat Kings come into tonight holding a five game win streak to their name.
The Saskatoon Blades (37-13-8-0) come into tonight’s tilt with a comfortable lead on their closest opponent in the Eastern Division standings. The Blades have a 12 point lead on the third place Moose Jaw Warriors and no chance of catching the Prince Albert Raiders for first. That hasn’t stopped the motivation for Saskatoon though as they’ve been on an absolute tear. They haven’t just been beating weaker teams in the league either, arguably handling some of the toughest competition around including the Raiders.
Kirby Dach has seen his draft stock rising lately, some might argue its much in part to the recent team success overall. Dach’s stats say otherwise, eight points in just his last five games, and consistently night in and night out being there in key times for his team. There’s a reason all the NHL scouts find Dach so special and it isn’t just for the stats columns either. A big part has to do with character and attitude, and looking in from the outside it appears he has it down.
The Brandon Wheat Kings (28-22-3-4) are heating up at just the right time in the season. If the Wheaties can keep it up, they should be slotting into the playoffs in a Wild Card spot. There are some teams that have to lose before they can make it in, but they are right there on the doorstep looking in. The Wheat Kings are coming off a 5-1 win over the Calgary Hitmen, that made quite the statement, as the Hitmen are one of the teams ahead of them in the standings. Looking back a little further, Brandon has back to back wins over Prince Albert in their back pocket now, and are just looking to take more casualties.
2000-born forward Cole Reinhardt has jumped into quite the role for the team in just the last short series of games. Over this five game winning streak, Reinhardt has 10 points, all of which were accounted for in his last four games. Reinhardt has 39 points in 56 games with the team in 2018-19 a jump from last seasons count of 34 points in 68 games.
Expected in goal:
- Nolan Maier (SAS) 2.674 GAA, .910 SV%- Maier sits tied for 3rd in the league for wins at 30 on the season.
- Jiri Patera (BDN) 3.141 GAA, .909 SV%- Has been the starter for all games for Brandon on this five game win streak.
Other games to keep you busy:
Kootenay Ice (11-37-7-2) @ Prince Albert Raiders (47-8-1-2)
- Prince Albert has beaten Kootenay in all three meetings this season outscoring the Ice 19-6 in the process
Calgary Hitmen (30-22-4-1) @ Regina Pats (17-38-1-2)
- Calgary is undefeated in regulation in three games against the Pats this season
Moose Jaw Warriors (31-16-6-2) @ Swift Current Broncos (10-40-3-2)
- Moose Jaw is 2-0-1-0 vs. Swift Current this season.
Red Deer Rebels (29-22-4-1) @ Edmonton Oil Kings (32-18-4-4)
- Red Deer on thin ice in the standings, trying to break open a three game losing streak tonight against the Central Division leader.
Medicine Hat (31-22-3-2) @ Lethbridge Hurricanes (30-17-5-5)
- Medicine Hat has had tables turn around of late, come into Lethbridge on a four game skid with teh standings getting tighter by the game.
Prince George Cougars (16-35-4-3) @ Kamloops Blazers (22-28-4-1)
- Prince George is on a 0-13-3-1 streak, trying to beat a team they have yet to beat in six meetings this season.
Kelowna Rockets (24-29-4-1) @ Spokane Chiefs (30-19-2-4)
- Spokane is 2-0-0-0 vs Kelowna this season, and hold their own at home with a 20-6-0-2 record at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.
Portland Winterhawks (36-16-3-3) @ Tri-City Americans (32-21-2-1)
- Tri-City has been Portland’s kryptonite this season has a 6-1-0-0 record vs. Portland this season
Victoria Royals (30-24-1-2) @ Vancouver Giants (39-14-2-1)
- After a loss to Portland on Monday, Vancouver is looking to rebound against Victoria beginning a three games in three days stretch against the Royals tonight in Langley.
Seattle Thunderbirds (23-28-5-1) @ Everett Silvertips (41-14-1-2)
- Everett leads the season series 6-1, coming into this matchup.
