Photo by Brandi Pollock
Brandon, MB (CKLQ) – The Brandon Wheat Kings dug themselves an early hole and couldn’t climb out of it in game four on Wednesday night as they fell 7-4 to the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes scored four goals before the media timeout of the first period. Brad Morrison, who continues to lead the ‘Canes in playoff scoring had two goals and an assist in the first period alone.
The Wheat Kings would come to life in the early stages of the 2nd period as they scored three unanswered goals. Marcus Sekundiak scored his fifth of the post-season followed up with goals from Luka Burzan and Stelio Mattheos.
With Brandon within one, the Hurricanes responded.
Zane Franklin scored his first of the post-season to restore the two goal lead. His late 2nd period goal would stand up as the eventual game-winner.
The Hurricanes would make it a 6-3 game when Jake Elmer scored just 97 seconds into third period.
Ty Lewis would give Brandon some life in the third but it was a close as the Wheat Kings would get.
Logan Barlage would seal the game with a late goal sending the Hurricanes back to Lethbridge with a 3-1 series lead.
Dylan Myskiw allowed all seven goals, stopping 20 of 27 while Logan Flodell bounced back for the ‘Canes making 27 saves for the win.
The Wheat Kings will now face elimination for the first time this season on Friday night. Puck drop at the Enmax Centre is set for 8:00 MB time. The Q Country pre-game show will hit the airwaves at 7:30.
CROWE’S NOTES
-The Wheat Kings scratched Logan Thompson (Lower Body), Ty Ettinger (Healthy), Jonny Hooker (Healthy) & Gunnar Wegleitner (Healthy).
-The QCountry / Star FM pre-game tail-gate party raised $14,000 for the Humboldt Broncos. Federated Co-op will match that number, bringing the total amount raised to $28,000.
-Ty Lewis was awarded the first penalty shot of the playoffs for the Wheat Kings in the 2nd period. Logan Flodell stopped the snapshot with his blocker.
-Attendance at Westoba Place was. 3,244
SCORING SUMMARY
1st PERIOD
LETH – Brad Morrison (9) (Joseph, Olsen)
LETH – Jake Elmer (3) (Morrison) 5:11
LETH – Dylan Cozens (4) (Bellerive, Ross) 8:34
LETH – Brad Morrison (10) (Elmer) 10:05
Shots: 10-8 Brandon
2nd PERIOD
BWK – Marcus Sekundiak (5) (McCartney, Higson) 3:28
BWK – Luka Burzan (5) (Schneider, Lewis) 6:14
BWK – Stelio Mattheos (6) (McCorrister, Wytinck) 12:18 (Delayed Penalty)
LETH – Zane Franklin (1) (Barlage) 15:25
Shots: 14-11 Brandon
3rd PERIOD
LETH – Jake Elmer (4) (Unassisted) 1:37
BWK – Ty Lewis (6) (Mattheos, Bukac) 4:34
LETH – Logan Barlage (3) (Zudilov, Addison) 17:02
Final Shots: 31-27 Brandon