Late Game Heroics Help BWK to Victory

Photo courtesy Rick Elvin

The Brandon Wheat Kings scored two goals late in the third period to erase a two-goal deficit and earned the extra point with a 5-4 shootout win in Saskatoon on Sunday night.

Ridly Greig had his best game of the year, scoring twice, finishing +2 and winning 15/23 faceoffs he took, earning him first star honors on the night.

"Guys are feeling great in that room right now," said Assistant Coach Mark Derlago on the post-game show. "To come back from down two in the final two minutes and get the winner in the shootout was a real character win for us."

Lynden McCallum (1G-1A) and Connor Gutenberg also scored for Brandon, who finished the night 0/4 on the powerplay.

Both of Brandon’s third-period goals game with Jiri Patera on the bench and the extra attacker on the ice. In order to generate those late chances, the BWK got two clutch faceoff wins from Ty Thorpe and Ridly Greig.

"When you get that 6th guy out there, we’re telling the guys to go hard to the net, because that’s where the goals happen," added Derlago. "Look at the tying goal, Ben McCartney is standing right on top of the crease and the goalie didn’t see the shot."

In the shootout, Ridly Greig and Luka Burzan made no mistake while Jiri Patera stopped both Blades shooters.

Brandon wraps up their three-game weekend set with four of a possible six points, including wins over the Blades and the Vancouver Giants.

The key in both the victories was Jiri Patera, who was excellent on Sunday afternoon turning aside 26 shots through 65 minutes.

"Three games in three nights I know guys were tired," said Derlago. "Our guys battled hard. I honestly thought it was one of the most physical games we’ve had this year. There is no doubt about it that is a huge win for us."

These two teams will meet again on Friday night at Westoba Place in the final home game before the Wheat Kings head on their US Division road trip.

SCORING SUMMARY

1st PERIOD

BWK – Lynden McCallum (2) (Unassisted) 11:06

Shots: 10-8 Saskatoon

2nd PERIOD

SAS – Tristan Robins (2) (Florchuk, Crnkovic) 6:27

SAS – Zach Huber (2) (C.Dach) 15:04

BWK – Ridly Greig (1) (Reinhardt, McCallum)

Shots: 10-9 Saskatoon

3rd PERIOD

SAS – Kyle Crnkovic (4) (Kaddoura) 9:26