THE WHL PLAYOFFS COULD BE COMING TO DAUPHIN
BRANDON, MB. – The Brandon Wheat Kings, in conjunction with the Western Hockey League have announced that should a sixth game be necessary in their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series with Regina, it will be played at Credit Union Place in Dauphin.
While the Wheat Kings will host games three and four of their best of seven opening round playoff series next week at Westman Communications Group Place, the WHL club will be forced to play game six away from home due to the annual Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, scheduled for the Keystone Centre from March 31st to April 5th.
Game six of the series will be played Monday, March 31st at 7:30 p.m.
The Wheat Kings and Pats will kick off the series this weekend with back to back games in Regina on Saturday and Sunday nights, before shifting to Brandon for games three and four on Wednesday and Friday, March 26th and 28th respectively. Game five (if necessary) is scheduled for Saturday, March 29th while the seventh and deciding game would be played on Wednesday, April 2nd at the Brandt Centre.
“This will be an exciting venue for our players should game 6 be necessary,” says Brandon general manager and head coach Kelly McCrimmon. “It is close enough for our fans to attend, and we feel it will be well received in Dauphin and area.”
“We would like to recognize and thank Marlin Murray and the Dauphin Kings organization for their cooperation and assistance in securing this game for Dauphin,” McCrimmon went on to say.
Three current members of the Wheat Kings grew up in the Parkland region and played AAA Midget with the Rangers. Among them captain Ryan Pulock from Grandview. The other two are Roblin’s Jayce Hawryluk and 20-year old veteran Rene Hunter.
A first round draft choice (15th overall) of the New York Islanders in last June’s National Hockey League Draft, Pulock recently set a franchise record for Most Career Goals Scored by a Defenceman – a record that had been previously held by former all star Brad McCrimmon.
While Hunter is winding down his fourth and final year of junior hockey, Hawryluk is coming off a successful second season in Brandon in which he led the club in scoring with 24 goals and 64 points.
Dauphin’s Credit Union Place is a 1,763 seat (plus 752 Standing Room) arena that is home to the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Kings. This $8.6 million facility, which opened on April 7th, 2006, has all the amenities both fans and players alike require.
More details on ticket prices and on sale dates will be announced in the next week. Speaking of tickets, however, tickets for games three and four next week in Brandon go on sale Friday morning at 11am at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling 204-726-3555 or online at wheatkings.com
Meanwhile Brandon Bus Lines reports that there are only a dozen spots available on the Fan Bus Trip to Regina this Saturday. To register or for more information call (204) 571-0231. As well, Wheat Kings fans wanting to purchase tickets for games one and two can do so by contacting Danna Rudniski at 204-726-3535.
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