Sunday, September 27, 2009
Brandon, Manitoba -- The Brandon Wheat Kings ran their winning streak to three games Saturday night with a 4-0 victory over the Moose Jaw Warriors.
Netminder Andrew Hayes turned aside 25 shots in backstopping the Wheat Kings to their third straight shutout, one shy of the Western Hockey League record set by former Flin Flon Bomber Chris Worthy during the 1967-68 campaign.
Although its one shy of the Western League record, Hayes' 3-game shutout streak does represent a team record.
Jay Fehr - with his first goal of the season - snapped a scoreless tie midway through the second period and after Hayes made some great saves, the Wheat Kings put the game away with three unanswered in the final frame.
The line of Fehr, Scott Glennie and Aaron Lewadniuk teamed up to score seven points. While Fehr and Glennie finished the game with a goal and an assist each, Lewadniuk had a goal and two helpers. Former Portage Terrier Brenden Walker, with his first ever WHL goal, rounded out the scoring for the 3-1-0 Wheat Kings, who moved into sole posession of first place in the Eastern Division with the victory.
Not only did Saturday's shutout equal Hayes' entire total in 2008-09, it was the 9th of his career, moving him past Jamie Hodson and Glen Hanlon into sole posession of second place on the Wheat Kings' all time list. Only Tyler Plante has more in franchise history with twelve.
Entering week three of the 2009-10 season, Hayes' is working on a shutout streak of just over 188 minutes. The league record is 265:13.
In addition to Hayes establishing a new franchise record, Brandon coach and general manager Kelly McCrimmon picked up his 251st career win, moving him into a tie with the late Dunc McCallum for second place on the team's all time list for coaching victories. Bob Lowes currently holds the club record with 363 wins.
Saturday's game also marked the WHL debut of 19-year old Swedish defenceman Alexander Urbom. Brandon's second pick in June's Canadian Hockey League Import Draft was in the lineup after being returned to Brandon by the National Hockey League's New Jersey Devils.
The Wheat Kings don't play again until Friday night when they kick off a 4-game homestand against the visiting Red Deer Rebels. Tickets to Friday's game as well as Brandon's remaining regular season home games will go on sale Monday afternoon at the Keystone Centre box office. Fans can also order by phone at 726-3555 or online at ticketmaster.ca
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