U18 AAA WEEKLY ROUNDUP: Wheat Kings earn pair of victories

BOYS

BRANDON WHEAT KINGS

The third-place Wheat Kings (36-6-0-3) extended their point streak to 27 games in wins over the fifth-place Eastman Selects (29-13-2-2) and the 11th-place Interlake Lightning (12-32-1-0) in the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League last week.

On Sunday at Teulon-Rockwood Arena, Ethan Stanley had a hat trick, Nolan Peterson scored twice and Cole Dupuis and Crew Elder added singles in a 7-3 Brandon victory over Interlake. Cooper Dryden made 14 saves for Brandon, with Grayson Mcdonald stopping 49 shots for Interlake.

On Saturday at Steinbach’s Southeast Event Centre, Reid Nicol scored his 32nd goal of the season 40 seconds into overtime in a 3-2 Wheat Kings victory over the Selects.

Kevin Knee and Max Dawson had the other Brandon goals.

Urijah Moosetail made 27 saves for Brandon, with Zaiden McDonald Horvath turning aside 25 shots for Eastman.

In the final week of the regular season, the Wheat Kings host the Winnipeg Bruins on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., and the Yellowhead Chiefs on Friday at 7:30 p.m. — both at J&G Homes Arena — and then finish up at the Shoal Lake Communiplex against the Chiefs on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

SOUTHWEST COUGARS

The sixth-place Cougars (26-17-1-2) met Parkland, the second-place Winnipeg Wild (37-5-1-2) and the 10th-place Central Plains Capitals (12-30-2-2).

On Sunday at Portage la Prairie’s Stride Place, Brady Shields posted a 27-save shutout, Riley Fluker had a hat trick and an assist and Eric Berger had the winning goal and four assists in a 9-0 pounding of the Capitals.

Taylor Lockhart scored twice and Kole Beard, Jaxsten Hansen-Young and Gavin Anderson also sniped. Karsen Dyck stopped 27 shots for the Capitals.

On Saturday at Souris/Glenwood Memorial Complex, the Winnipeg Wild built a 5-0 lead in the first period and posted a 6-3 victory. Kole Beard scored twice and Spencer Cullen added a single for the Cougars.

Nate Brown and Brady Shields made 34 saves for Southwest, with Chase Kettles stopping 20 shots for Winnipeg.

On Wednesday at Souris/Glenwood Memorial Complex, Parkland’s Dayson Martin singlehandedly gave the Rangers a 2-0 lead, but the Cougars tied the game on goals by Riley Fluker and Jamie Williamson, and then Eric Berger scored the winner for Southwest with 38 seconds remaining in an exciting 3-2 victory.

Brady Shields made 18 saves for Southwest, with Carter Sigurdson stopping 19 shots for Parkland.

The Cougars hit the road for the final weekend, visiting Teulon-Rockwood Arena to tangle with Interlake on Friday at 7:30 p.m., and Winnipeg’s Southdale Community Centre to meet the Bruins on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

YELLOWHEAD CHIEFS

The ninth-place Chiefs (18-27-1-0) had a tough week against the first-place Winnipeg Bruins (39-3-1-2) and the Wild. On Sunday at Shoal Lake Communiplex, Nolan Kozak and Grady McNish had the Chiefs goals as they fell 7-2 to the Wild.

Sawyer Wallin made 43 saves for Yellowhead, with Ardan Downey turning aside 25 shots for Winnipeg .

On Thursday at Winnipeg’s Southdale Community Centre, Ethan Turchinski gave the Chiefs a lead they carried through 29 minutes, but Winnipeg exploded for seven goals in the back half of the game for a 7-1 victory.

Bruins Landon McGregor made 54 saves for Yellowhead, with Zak Matheson blocking 20 shots for Winnipeg.

The Chiefs, who will miss the playoffs, finish their season with a home-and-home series against Brandon at J&G Homes Arena on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Shoal Lake on Sunday at 1:30.

PARKLAND RANGERS

After the midweek loss to Southwest, the eighth-place Rangers (23-19-4-1) split with the fourth-place Winnipeg Thrashers (33-10-2-1) at Dauphin’s Credit Union Place.

On Sunday, the short-staffed Thrashers went up 2-0 but the game was tied 4-4 when Alex Campbell’s second goal of the afternoon was the only snipe of the third period in a 5-4 Rangers victory.

Ryzlie Nepinak also scored twice for Parkland, with Ryder Gardner notching the other Rangers goal.

Eddy Person made 30 saves for Parkland, with Tate Barnaby stopping 16 shots for Winnipeg.

On Saturday, Ashton Dutkewich gave Parkland an early lead but with a late empty netter, Winnipeg posted a 3-1 win. Carter Sigurdson made 28 saves for Parkland, with Tate Barnaby blocking 18 shots for Winnipeg.

The Rangers finish up against the Winnipeg Wild on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

GIRLS

YELLOWHEAD CHIEFS

The fifth-place Chiefs (11-11-3-3) completed their 28-game regular season with a loss against the first-place Winnipeg Ice (25-2-0-1) in the Manitoba Female Hockey League U18 AAA.

On Friday at Winnipeg’s Hockey For All Centre, Erica Miko had the lone Yellowhead goal as they fell 6-1 to the Ice. Gracie Johnston made 39 saves for Yellowhead, with Winnipeg’s Isla Matthews stopping 30 shots.

In the league quarterfinals, the Chiefs will meet the fourth-place Winnipeg Avros (16-9-2-1), with Game 1 set for Seven Oaks Arena on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Game 2 in Shoal Lake on Saturday at 4:30 p.m., and Game 3 in Winnipeg on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. If necessary, Game 4 is in Shoal Lake on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m., and Game 5 back at Seven Oaks Arena on Friday, Feb. 27 at 7:15 p.m.

WESTMAN WILDCATS

The third-place Wildcats (16-7-0-5), who finished their regular season last week, will meet the sixth-place Pembina Valley Hawks (9-18-0-1) in the first round of the playoffs.

The series begins in Hartney on Wednesday at 7:45 p.m., moves to Morden for Game 2 on Friday at 8 p.m., and returns to Hartney on Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock for Game 3.

If necessary, Game 4 is Morden on Thursday, Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. (Morden), with a potential Game 5 in Hartney on Saturday, Feb 28 at 5 p.m.

» The Brandon Sun