Wheat Kings Top ICE Saturday

Jordan Papirny made 31 saves as the Brandon Wheat Kings defeated the Kootenay ICE 4-1 in Cranbrook Saturday.

Four different Brandon forwards scored, as the Wheat Kings completed a two-game weekend sweep over the ICE at Western Financial Place.

Kootenay outshot Brandon 11-2 in the first period and thought they had taken a 1-0 lead early, but a potential opening goal was called back on account of contact with the goaltender.

The Wheat Kings then opened the scoring officially 7:23 into the first period, with Tim McGauley cashing in on his third goal of the weekend.

Brandon's Nolan Patrick added a second marker just shy of the six-minute mark of the middle frame, firing a wrist shot from the high slot that eluded ICE goaltender Wyatt Hoflin through heavy traffic.

The Wheat Kings added a third marker on a power-play at 6:49 of the third period through Morgan Klimchuk, but Kootenay replied less than 30 seconds later on a quick snapshot from Zak Zborosky.

Brandon forward Reid Duke rounded out the scoring from close range with 7:21 left to play after being set up by linemate Rihards Bukarts on a Wheat King power play.

The ICE outshot Brandon 32-24.

HADDAD FINANCIAL SERVICES 3 STARS:
1. Jordan Papirny, Brandon
2. Ryan Chynoweth, Kootenay
3. Morgan Klimchuk, Brandon

UP NEXT: the ICE continue their current homestand Wednesday, February 11th versus the Medicine Hat Tigers. Game time is 7:00 pm at Western Financial Place.