Cranbrook, BC – Brandon Wheat Kings Brendan Walker scored a hat-trick in a 5-4 win over the Kootenay ICE in WHL action on Wednesday night.
Brandon opened the scoring on the powerplay on a turnover at the ICE blueline and David Toews dropped a pass in the slot to Brendan Walker who scored with a wrist shot high on the stick side.
45-seconds later the ICE tied the game as Joe Antilla was alone in front of the net to banged in a rebound through the goalies legs.
ICE took a 2-1 lead as defenseman Brayden McNabb wristed a shot from the blueline that beat the screened the goalie high on the stick side.
48-seconds later Brandon tied the game as Brendan Walker got his 2nd of the game as he scored on a long shot that squirted through the goalie.
Brandon took a 3-2 lead early in the 3rd as Brenden Walker got the hat-trick with another turnover at the ICE blueline and his wrist shot beat the goalie high on the glove side.
Wheat Kings took a 4-2 lead on a 3-on-1 break while shorthanded and Scott Glennie finished the play with a forehand deke.
On the continuing powerplay ICE forward Elgin Pearce scored with a wrist shot the beat the goalie high on the glove side.
Wheat Kings regained the 2-goal lead as Matt MacKay writes a shot that beat the goalie high on the glove side.
ICE changed goalies as Nathan Lieuwen replaced Brett Teskey.
ICE got back within a goal as Cody Eakin picked up a loose puck near the crease and scored with wrist shot on the glove side.
Kevin King's 2 assists gave hip 200 career points. He is the 10th player in Franchise History to reach the milestone.
It’s the 1st time the ICE have lost 3 games in row this season.
ICE will visit Lethbridge on Friday.
Defenseman Luke Paulsen returned after missing 3 games to a head injury.
Forward Levi Cable played in his 1st WHL game wearing jersey #26.
ICE Scratches – Joey Leach (4th game ankle surgery 4 weeks), Steele Boomer (4th game ankle 4 weeks), Matt Fraser (3rd game head day-to-day), Mackenzie Skapski.
Game Summary
Bandon 17-26-1-7 Kootenay 30-16-1-2
1st Period
1. Brandon, Walker 17 (Toews) 16:44 pp
2. Kootenay, Antilla 14 (King, Eakin) 17:29
Penalties – Galbraith Bran (instigator, fighting, misconduct) Hurley Ktn (fighting) 7:59, Benoit Ktn (tripping) 15:11.
2nd Period
3. Kootenay, McNabb 12 (King, Eakin) 17:15
4. Brandon, Walker (2) (Swyripa) 18:03
Penalties – Fransoo Bran (holding) 3:15, Hurley Ktn (goalie interefence) 8:24, Meilleur Bran (tripping) 10:29, Hurley Ktn (interfernce) 12:44, Bench Bran (too many men) 15:04.
3rd Period
5. Brandon, Walker (3) 19 2:33
6. Brandon, Glennie 22 () 8:45 sh
7. Kootenay, Pearce 8 (Ismond, Czerwonka) 9:29 pp
8. Brandon, MacKay 14 (Stone, Wiebe) 11:07
9. Kootenay, Eakin 21 (Rintoul, McNabb) 13:53
Penalties – Gustafsson Bran (slashing) 7:52.
Shots on goal by
Brandon - 13 – 12 – 12 = 37
Kootenay – 10 – 16 – 9 = 35
Goal (shots-saves) – Brandon: Corbin Boes (W 3-9-1-5) (35-31) Kootenay: Brett Teskey (L 8-3-0-0) (34-29) Nathan Lieuwen (11:07 third) (3-3)
Power plays (goals-chances) - Brandon: 1/3 Kootenay: 1/5
Referee – Pat Smith
Linesmen – Steve Cochrane, Michael Roberts
Attendance – 2,220