WHL Gameday Preview: Brandon Wheat Kings @Edmonton Oil Kings and more

DUBNetwork Feature Game of the Night: November 17, 2019 Brandon Wheat Kings 9-13-0-0
@ Edmonton Oil Kings 13-4-3-1 4:00PM (MST)
It’s the second battle of the season between the two Kings of the WHL as the Brandon Wheat Kings travel to Edmonton to face the Oil Kings. Edmonton took the first meeting of the season back on October 5th. It was a tight checking 2-1 win for Edmonton in Brandon. Oil Kings goaltender Todd Scott was the first star of the game that night stopping 39-of-40 shots in the victory.

Edmonton centre Scott Atkinson scored the game winning goal 7:28 into the third period. Coming into today’s action the Oil Kings sit tied for first place overall in the WHL with the Prince Albert Raiders, as both teams have identical records through 21 games. As for the Wheat Kings, they currently sit fifth in the tough East Division. Both teams are coming off losses on the road last night. Brandon lost 4-3 to the Red Deer Rebels and the Oil Kings fell to the Medicine Hat Tigers 5-1.

(Photo credit – wheatkings.com) Luka Burzan

Colorado Avalanche sixth round pick from this past season’s NHL entry draft, Luka Burzan has led the Wheat Kings in scoring this year. Burzan, now in his fourth season in the WHL, has picked up 21 points in 22 games including 10 goals this year. Last year, Burzan broke out with 78 points, including scoring 40 times. He demolished all of his career highs in every offensive categories. Prior to last season his highest total points for a year was 27, which he collected in his rookie season while playing for the Moose Jaw Warriors.

Burzan along with teammate defenceman Braden Schneider, are back with the team after playing for team WHL at the 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series earlier this week. Helping Burzan up front has been the play of
third-year forward Ben McCartney. Like Burzan, McCartney set career highs in all offensive categories last season with Brandon. He scored 21 goals for the first time and added 20 assists. So far this season McCartney has registered 19 points in 20 games for the Wheat Kings. Defenceman Schneider anchors the Wheat Kings blue line. So far this season, Schneider has 13 points in 21 games. Now in his third season with Brandon, Schneider had 24 points in 58 games last year. Earlier this week the Wheat Kings joined some pretty select company when they downed the visiting Winnipeg ICE 7-2 at Westoba Place in Brandon
Monday afternoon. The win was the club’s 1,800th since joining the Western Hockey League in 1967. By doing so the Wheat Kings have become only the second team in league history to reach the 1,800 win plateau joining the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Riley Sawchuk (photo-Andy Devlin)

Riley Sawchuk has led the Oil Kings offensively this season. Sawchuk is in his fourth and final WHL season, having played the previous three seasons with the Tri-City Americans. Sawchuck was acquired by the Oil Kings from Tri-City in May, following their run to the WHL Eastern Conference final in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft. Sawchuk was selected in the sixth round of the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft by Tri-City and collected a career-high 20 goals and 53 points in 67 games with the Americans last season. This seasonSawchuk has 26 points in 21 games.

Sawchuk is tied for the team lead in goals with forward Josh Williams with 10. Williams who is in his first full season with the Oil Kings was acquired last season from the Medicine Hat Tigers. Williams has 12 assists to go along with his 10 goals for 22 points so far this season. Williams is currently on pace to not only beat his career high in points but to shatter them. He set his career high last season putting up 33 points between Medicine Hat and Edmonton. Williams recently represented the Oil Kings at the Canada Russia
Series suiting up for WHL earlier this week.

(Photo credit – wheatkings.com) Jiri Patera

Not to be out done, forward Jake Neighbours is the third member of the Oil Kings top three scorers this season. With 23 points in 21 games, like Williams, Neighbours is well on his way to shatter his career high (24) in points which he set last season. Rookie goaltender Sebastian Cossa finally lost his first game in the WHL. Cossa had a flawless record to start his WHL career winning his first five games. The streak finally came to an end during his last start a 3-0 defeat to the Tri-City Americans.

Expected in goal:
Jiri Patera (Brandon) – Patera, Vegas Golden Knights sixth round pick from the 2017 NHL entry draft, is in his second season in the WHL. The Praha, Czech Republic native has played in nine games this season posting a 4-4 record with a 2.88GAA and a .910SAV%. Last season in 48 appearances, Patera had 22 wins and a 3.31GAA and a .906SAV%.
Todd Scott (Edmonton) – Todd is in his third season in the WHL. In 13 appearances this season, Todd has seven wins and has a 3.11 GAA and .893 SAV%. Last season he posted 11 wins in 17 appearances including a shut-out.

Also in action:

Moose Jaw Warriors @Saskatoon Blades 2:30pm CST

-Both teams stumbled on Saturday night and have quick turnarounds. Both will try to bounce back fast.

Calgary Hitmen @Prince Albert Raiders 6pm CST

-Calgary doubled up P.A. last time out by a 4-2 score.

Lethbridge Hurricanes @Vancouver Giants 4pm PST

-The “Canes have now lost two straight with both coming at the hands of Western Conference opponents. The Giants have won four of five.

Spokane Chiefs @Everett Silvertips 4:05pm PST

-Everett tries to secure their fourth win in four tries against Spokane.

Winnipeg ICE @Portland Winterhawks 5pm PST

Peyton Krebs returns to action for the ICE fresh off signing an NHL entry-level contract.