WHEAT KINGS: A history of Brandon home openers

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/09/2022 (1344 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Brandon Wheat Kings have always made their home opener a special occasion.

From the very first one, which was played on Oct. 10, 1967, to Saturday’s tilt with the Winnipeg Ice, something interesting seems to happen every year.

Here’s a look back at more than half a century of home openers.

2022-23

Winnipeg 4, Brandon 3 (OT)

Date: Sept. 25, 2022

BWK goal scorers: Brett Hyland, Mason Ward, Nolan Ritchie.

BWK goalie: Carson Bjarnason.

Shots: 43-30 Wpg.

PP: BWK 0-2. Wpg. 0-4.

Attendance: 4,017.

RECAP: Winnipeg’s Zach Benson scored with 6.7 seconds remaining in overtime after Josh Medernach tied the game in the last two minutes of the third period. Brandon scored twice midway through the third period to retake the lead.

 

 

2021-22

Winnipeg 10, Brandon 2

Date: Oct. 1, 2021

BWK goal scorers: Nolan Ritchie, Riley Ginnell.

BWK goalie: Ethan Kruger/Carson Bjarnason.

Shots: 49-22 Wpg.

PP: BWK 1-3. Wpg. 0-3.

Attendance: 3,917.

RECAP: An injury-ravaged Brandon team that could only dress 17 skaters, including a dozen rookies, took it on the chin in historic fashion. Winnipeg blew the game open by scoring the final five goals in the last 23 minutes.

 

2020-21

No home opener was held. The season was played in Regina due to pandemic.

2019-20

Winnipeg 3, Brandon 2

Date: Sept. 20, 2019

BWK goal scorers: Vincent Iorio, Zach Wytinck.

BWK goalie: Jiri Patera.

Shots: 45-26 Wpg.

PP: BWK 0-2. Wpg. 0-5.

Attendance: 4,959.

RECAP: In the first meeting between the new provincial rivals, Winnipeg scored the first three goals. Brandon tried to rally but couldn’t find the equalizer after Wytinck scored with less than five minutes remaining.

2018-19

Brandon 2, Moose Jaw 1

Date: Sept. 21, 2018

BWK goal scorers: Stelio Mattheos, Schael Higson.

BWK goalie: Jiri Patera.

Shots: 36-21 BWK.

PP: BWK 1-1, MJ 0-0.

Attendance: 4,902.

RECAP: Brandon did all its scoring in the first 20:16 of the game, and the two teams were assessed just one penalty in a game that took only 2:12 to play.

2017-18

Brandon 8, Regina 1

Date: Sept. 22, 2017

BWK goal scorers: Stelio Mattheos (2), Ty Lewis (2), Cole Reinhardt (2), Rylan Bettens, Connor Gutenberg.

BWK goalie: Logan Thompson.

Shots: 45-34 BWK.

PP: BWK 3-5, MJ 1-5.

Attendance: 5,012.

RECAP: Mattheos scored 12 minutes into the game and the Wheat Kings led 3-1 by the end of the first period. Young Wheat Kings defenceman Braden Schneider had two assists, while Lewis added to his two goals with three helpers.

2016-17

Moose Jaw 4, Brandon 3 (OT)

Date: Sept. 24, 2016/Feb. 8, 2017

BWK goal scorers: Stelio Mattheos (2), Nolan Patrick.

BWK goalie: Jordan Papirny.

Shots: 39-33 BWK.

PP: BWK 0-3, MJ 1-4.

Attendance: Over 5,000 (never announced) and 3,744.

RECAP: In the goofiest opener in team history, play was called due to fog in the second period of the infamous Fog Bowl. Nikita Popugaev, who scored to put Moose Jaw up 2-1 in the second period, was traded by the time the game resumed more than four months later. Thomas Foster scored the OT winner after Jayden Halbgewachs sniped with 72 seconds remaining to send the game to extra time.

2015-16

Swift Current 2, Brandon 1 (SO)

Date: Sept. 25, 2015

BWK goal scorers: Tim McGauley.

BWK goalie: Jordan Papirny.

Shots: 54-18 BWK.

PP: BWK 0-6, SC 1-3.

Attendance: 5,004.

RECAP: Brandon’s McGauley scored shortly before dislocating his shoulder, and Tyler Adams tied it up with 10 seconds remaining in the first period. In the shootout, Broncos goalie Landon Bow stopped all three Brandon shooters to add to his 53 saves during the game.

2014-15

Brandon 4, Regina 2.

Date: Sept. 19, 2014.

BWK goal scorers: Ryan Pilon, Taylor Green, Tyler Coulter, Braylon Shmyr.

BWK goalie: Jordan Papirny.

Shots: 30-25 BWK.

PP: BWK 0-5, Reg 0-4.

Attendance: 4,509.

RECAP: Braden Christoffer opened the scoring 3:24 into the game and Pilon replied 36 seconds later. After the teams traded goals, Coulter scored the winner 6:36 into the third period, with Papirny drawing an assist.

2013-14

Brandon 3, Moose Jaw 1

Date: Sept. 21, 2012

BWK goal scorers: Taylor Cooper, John Quenneville, Chad Robinson.

BWK goalie: Curtis Honey.

Shots: 41-31 MJ.

PP: BWK 0-3, MJ 1-5.

Attendance: 4,404.

RECAP: Honey was terrific in net for the hosts, turning aside 40 shots. He was only beaten by future NHLer Brayden Point on the power play with 3:43 remaining. Eric Roy drew assists on all three Brandon goals.

2012-13

Brandon 3, Regina 2

Date: Sept. 21, 2012

BWK goal scorers: Taylor Cooper, Eric Roy, Jens Meilleur.

BWK goalie: Corbin Boes.

Shots: 33-29 BWK.

PP: BWK 2-7, Reg 2-7.

Attendance: 4,839.

RECAP: Cooper scored in his Brandon debut as he put the Wheat Kings on the board. The teams then traded goals, with Meilleur’s power-play goal 4:03 into the third period serving as the winner.

2011-12

Moose Jaw 4, Brandon 3

Date: Sept. 23, 2011

BWK goal scorers: Alessio Bertaggia, Mark Stone, Tyrel Seaman.

BWK goalie: Corbin Boes.

Shots: 51-35 BWK.

PP: BWK 0-2, 1-3.

Attendance: 4,904.

RECAP: Future NHLer Devan Dubnyk was outstanding in net for Moose Jaw, making 48 saves to snap Brandon’s 11-game winning streak in home openers. Brett Lyon had a hat trick and assist for Moose Jaw, with Sean Aschim assisting on all four Warriors goals.

2010-11

Brandon 5, Regina 4

Date: Sept. 24, 2010

BWK goal scorers: Brendan Walker, Michael Ferland, Tyrel Seaman, Jesse Sinatynski, David Toews.

BWK goalie: Liam Liston.

Shots: 41-28 BWK.

PP: BWK 3-6, Reg 0-3.

Attendance: 5,287.

RECAP: Brandon broke a 3-3 tie with a pair of power-play goals in the final 2:14 of the second period. Mark Stone earned four assists in the win.

2009-10

Brandon 3, Swift Current 0

Date: Sept. 25, 2009

BWK goal scorers: Jordan Hale, Mark Stone, Jordan DePape.

BWK goalie: Andrew Hayes

Shots: 25-16 BWK.

PP: BWK 0-2, SC 0-2.

Attendance: 5,280.

RECAP: Hayes earned the first of five shutouts that season, and 11 in his career, with 16 saves. After 25 scoreless minutes, Brandon popped in a pair of goals in less than three minutes.

2008-09

Brandon 5, Regina 3

Date: Sept. 19, 2008

BWK goal scorers: Andrew Clark (2), Jay Fehr, Brayden Schenn, Matt Lowry.

BWK goalie: Joe Caligiuri.

Shots: 31-25 BWK.

PP: BWK 2-7, Reg 0-4.

Attendance: 4,729.

RECAP: Matt Strueby put the Blades up 3-2 six minutes into the third period, but Clark tied it with five minutes left and Schenn sniped the winner shorthanded two minutes later.

2007-08

Brandon 5, Saskatoon 2

Date: Sept. 21, 2007

BWK goal scorers: Daniel Bartek (2), Darry Boyle, Matt Lowry, Scott Glennie.

BWK goalie: Joe Caligiuri.

Shots: 40-19 BWK.

PP: BWK 2-9, Sas 1-8.

Attendance: 5,027.

RECAP: After a 12-goal season as a rookie, Czech forward Bartek sniped twice in three minutes in the second period as the hosts built a 5-0 lead. Glennie’s goal came in his WHL debut.

2006-07

Brandon 3, Moose Jaw 2

Date: Sept. 22, 2006

BWK goal scorers: Mark Derlago, Jeff Topilko, Andrew Clark.

BWK goalie: Tyler Plante.

Shots: 30-21 MJ.

PP: BWK 3-5, MJ 1-11.

Attendance: 5,126.

RECAP: Brandon couldn’t stay out of the penalty box, but won the battle of special teams. Clark’s power-play goal broke a 2-2 tie with 3:26 remaining.

2005-06

Brandon 3, Regina 1

Date: Sept. 23, 2005.

BWK goal scorers: Derek LeBlanc, Teegan Moore, Ryan Reaves.

BWK goalie: Tyler Plante.

Shots: 31-29 BWK.

PP: BWK 0-9, Reg 1-8.

Attendance: 4,764.

RECAP: LeBlanc scored short-handed goal seven minutes into the first period and Moore added the winner five minutes later. Brandon defenceman Theran Yeo fought twice as the teams were assessed a total of 170 penalty minutes.

2004-05

Brandon 4, Regina 3

Date: Sept. 24, 2004.

BWK goal scorers: Eric Fehr, Jeff Topilko, Ryan Stone, Tim Konsorada.

BWK goalie: Mike Nichol.

Shots: 32-28 BWK.

PP: BWK 2-5, Reg 2-5.

Attendance: 4,908.

RECAP: Fehr scored 6:49 into the first period to earn an odd accomplishment by sniping in all four home openers he played in. Konsorada’s goal with 20 seconds remaining in the third period was the winner.

2003-04

Brandon 6, Moose Jaw 1

Date: Sept. 19, 2003

BWK goal scorers: Eric Fehr (2), Mark Derlago, Tyler Dyck, Teegan Moore, Ryan Stone.

BWK goalie: Geoff McIntosh.

Shots: 28-16 BWK.

PP: BWK 1-7, MJ 1-8.

Attendance: 5,342.

RECAP: Derlago scored what proved to be the winner in his WHL debut in a game tied 1-1 four minutes in. Fehr, Stone and Codey Burki all had three-point nights.

2002-03

Brandon 3, Regina 1

Date: Sept. 20, 2002

BWK goal scorers: Eric Fehr, Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, Colin McCrae.

BWK goalie: Robert McVicar.

Shots: 27-14 Reg.

PP: BWK 2-8, Reg 1-10.

Attendance: 5,172.

RECAP: Brandon built a 3-0 lead despite repeated trips to the box in a game that featured five fights and 160 total penalty minutes. Grant Jacobsen scored a power-play goal early in the third period to end McVicar’s shutout bid.

2001-02

Brandon 5, Regina 4

Date: Sept. 22, 2001

BWK goal scorers: Richard Mueller (3), Kevin Harris, Eric Fehr.

BWK goalie: Robert McVicar.

Shots: 35-33 Reg.

PP: BWK 2-8, Reg 2-5.

Attendance: 5,745.

RECAP: Mueller scored the first of two hat tricks he had for Brandon that season prior to a trade to Saskatoon. Brandon trailed 3-1 and 4-3, with Fehr’s first WHL goal proving the winner when he scored with less than two minutes remaining.

2000-01

Brandon 7, Regina 5

Date: Sept. 22, 2000

BWK goal scorers: Ryan Craig (2), Aaron Goldade (2), Kevin Harris, Lance Monych, Colin McCrae.

BWK goalie: Shaun Fleming.

Shots: 42-23 BWK.

PP: BWK 1-6, Reg 1-7.

Attendance: 5,386.

RECAP: Fleming made 18 saves in his only start for Brandon, with the Wheat Kings overcoming three separate one-goal deficits. Brandon scored twice in the final 90 seconds of the game, with Regina’s final goal coming at 19:59.

1999-2000

Regina 5, Brandon 4

Date: Sept. 24, 1999.

BWK goal scorers: Ryan Craig, Jan Fadrny, Mike Wirll, Brad Twordik.

BWK goalie: Jomar Cruz.

Shots: 39-32 BWK.

PP: BWK 2-5. Reg 1-6.

Attendance: 5,406.

RECAP: Forty-two minutes into the game, Brandon was in control with a 4-1 lead. It was tied 4-4 nine minutes later, and Regina defenceman Scott Balan scored the winner — he had seven in his entire WHL career — with less than four minutes remaining.

1998-99

Brandon 7, Regina 4

Date: Sept. 26, 1998

BWK goal scorers: Andrei Lupandin (3), Ryan Robson, Randy Ponte, Dan Tetrault, Brad Twordik.

BWK goalie: Jamie Hodson.

Shots: 37-31 BWK.

PP: BWK 1-6. Reg 0-8.

Attendance: n/a

RECAP: Third-year Ukrainian defenceman Lupandin scored the only hat trick of his 223 regular season and playoff games. Current MJHL commissioner Kevin Saurette of Brandon had one of two short-handed goals as the Pats scored twice on the same penalty in the first period.

1997-98

Brandon 6, Regina 1

Date: Sept. 26, 1997

BWK goal scorers: Kirby Law (2), Cory Cyrene (2), Stefan Cherneski, Josh Woitas.

BWK goalie: David Haun.

Shots: 33-28 BWK.

PP: BWK 2-6. Reg 0-6.

Attendance: 5,508.

RECAP: Law scored 71 seconds into his Wheat Kings tenure as Brandon built a 4-0 lead. Cyrenne scored the first two of 47 goals he put up in his overage season.

1996-97

Regina 6, Brandon 3

Date: Sept. 20, 1996

BWK goal scorers: Burke Henry, Stefan Cherneski, Peter Schaefer.

BWK goalie: Brian Elder.

Shots: 31-30 Reg.

PP: BWK 0-1. Reg 0-1.

Attendance: 5,381.

RECAP: Regina’s Josh Holden scored three times in the third period as the Pats handed the Wheat Kings their first regular season loss since Feb. 16. Brandon also lost centre Cory Cyrenne to a shoulder injury.

1995-96

Brandon 3 Regina 2

Date: Sept. 22, 1995.

BWK goal scorers: Mike Leclerc (2), Jeff Temple.

BWK goalie: Brian Elder.

Shots: 36-32 Reg.

PP: BWK 0-3, Reg 1-4.

Attendance: 5,100.

RECAP: Temple scored in his WHL debut in a game in which Peter Schaefer was ejected with a major and game misconduct. Regina led 2-0 after 40 minutes, with Brandon tying it up in the first 84 seconds of the third period, and Leclerc notching the winner 10 minutes later. Brandon went 52-19-1 and won the WHL title that season.

1994-95

Brandon 8, Regina 0

Date: Sept. 30, 1994

BWK goal scorers: Marty Murray (3), Darren Ritchie (3), Chris Dingman, Bobby Brown.

BWK goalie: Byron Penstock.

Shots: 51-15 BWK.

PP: BWK 2-7, Reg 0-2.

Attendance: 5,405.

RECAP: Murray and Ritchie also had three assists each and DIngman added a goal and two helpers as the top line exploded for 15 points. Byron Penstock only had to make 15 saves to earn his fourth career shutout. Regina was without star forward Jeff Friesen, who signed with the San Jose Sharks earlier in the day and won’t be back.

1993-94

Brandon 6, Regina 1

Date: Sept. 25, 1993

BWK goal scorers: Mike Maneluk (3), Marty Murray (2), Chris Johnston.

BWK goalie: Byron Penstock.

Shots: 40-36 BWK.

PP: BWK 2-5, Reg 0-5.

Attendance: 4,567.

RECAP: Maneluk scored his first career hat trick and added two assists and Murray also put up five points. Penstock was terrific in making 35 saves, several of which were of the spectacular variety.

1992-93

Brandon 9 Regina 6

Date: Sept. 25, 1992.

BWK goal scorers: Bobby House (2), Jeff Jubenville, Mike Dubinsky, Mike Maneluk, Ryan Smith, Darren Ritchie, Colin Cloutier, Mark Kolesar.

BWK goalie: Trevor Robins.

Shots: n/a.

PP: BWK 2-4, Reg 4-11.

Attendance: n/a.

RECAP: Trevor Robins arrived back from San Jose Sharks camp just in time to start his first game for his hometown team after an off-season trade. Brandon led 9-2 after the second period, with the Pats scoring four power-play goals in the third period to make the game closer.

1991-92

Regina 3, Brandon 2

Date: Sept. 27, 1991

BWK goal scorers: Bobby House, Jeff Hoad.

BWK goalie: Dean Intwert.

Shots: 33-31 Reg.

PP: BWK 2-5, Reg 1-3.

Attendance: 5,366.

RECAP: Louis Dumont’s shorthanded goal 4:29 into the third period stood as the winner for the Pats after the teams were tied 2-2 following two fight-filled periods.

1990-91

Brandon 4 Regina 2

Date: Sept. 28, 1990

BWK goal scorers: Chris Constant, Calvin Flint, Brian Purdy, John Skillgard.

BWK goalie: Trevor Kidd.

Shots: 50-46 BWK.

PP: BWK 1-6, Reg 1-4.

Attendance: 5,213.

RECAP: Kidd arrived back from Calgary Flames camp a day before the home opener and responded with 44 saves. Skillgard, a Swedish walk-on with the Wheat Kings, scored in his first game into an empty net to seal the deal.

1989-90

Brandon 3, Lethbridge 1

Date: Sept. 29, 1989

BWK goal scorers: Dwayne Gylywoychuk, Gary Audette, Pryce Wood.

BWK goalie: Trevor Kidd

Shots: 45-34 BWK.

PP: BWK 0-4, Let 1-5.

Attendance: 4,856.

RECAP: Kidd made his regular-season debut as Brandon’s starting goalie a good one with a superb effort in net. The Wheat Kings weathered a seven-minute penalty kill that straddled the second and third periods while nursing a 2-1 lead.

1988-89

Prince Albert 6, Brandon 5

Date: Sept. 30, 1988

BWK goal scorers: Dave Hunter (2), Graham Garden, Greg Hutchings, Troy Frederick.

BWK goalie: Kelly Hitchins.

Shots: 40-36 PA.

PP: BWK 1-8, PA 1-8.

Attendance: 5,258.

RECAP: The Brandon line of Hutchings, Garden and Hunter combined for 11 points but Prince Albert star Mike Modano scored two goals, including the winner, for the visitors. Brandon had built a 4-0 lead. It was the largest Brandon crowd since March 24, 1978 when the Wheat Kings met the Flin Flon Bombers.

1987-88

Moose Jaw 7, Brandon 5

Date: Oct. 2, 1987

BWK goal scorers: Murray Rice (2), Dale Marquette, Troy Frederick, Troy Kennedy.

BWK goalie: George Maneluk.

Shots: 59-33 MJ.

PP: n/a.

Attendance: 2,051.

RECAP: Maneluk and Moose Jaw’s Theoren Fleury were both returned to their junior times just in time to join their teams for the game, and while Maneluk stopped 51 shots, Fleury potted the winner and one other goal. Brandon actually led 5-4 midway through the third period.

1986-87

Saskatoon 8, Brandon 6

Date: Sept. 30, 1986

BWK goal scorers: Chad Silver (2), Mike Morin, Terry Yake, Kirk Phare, Jason Phillips.

BWK goalie: Kelly Hitchins.

Shots: 38-24 Sas.

PP: n/a.

Attendance: 2,242

RECAP: Yake scored on a penalty shot late in the first period to cut the deficit to 3-2, but Brandon was never able to tie the game, trailing 6-5 after 40 minutes. Both teams scored a short-handed goal.

1985-86

Brandon 6, Moose Jaw 4

Date: Oct. 2, 1985

BWK goal scorers: Jason Phillips, Dave Thomlinson, John Dzikowski, Jeff Waver, Mike Morin, Derek Laxdal.

BWK goalie: Artie Feher.

Shots: 38-33 BWK.

PP: n/a.

Attendance: 2,293.

RECAP: Phillips scored in his first WHL game with 55 seconds remaining and Laxdal added an empty netter in the win. Laxdal’s long shot down the ice earned an assist for the netminder Feher.

1984-85

Brandon 4 Moose Jaw 3 (OT)

Date: Oct. 8, 1984

BWK goal scorers: Dave Thomlinson (2), Jeff Waver, Byron Lomow,

BWK goalie: Pokey Reddick.

Shots: 39-39.

PP: n/a.

Attendance: 2,265.

RECAP: Thomlinson’s second goal came 4:24 into overtime as the Wheat Kings rallied for the win. Brandon, who led 2-0 four minutes the game, was trailing 3-2 in the third period when Thomlinson tied it with a power-play goal. The game was overage goalie Reddick’s home debut after he was acquired in late September from the New Westminster Bruins.

1983-84

Brandon 9 Winnipeg 4

Date: Sept. 30, 1983

BWK goal scorers: Ray Ferraro (3), Alan Tarasuk (2), Dave Thomlinson, Gord Paddock, Brent Jessiman, Pat Loyer.

BWK goalie: Ron Hextall.

Shots: 36-29 BWK.

PP: n/a.

Attendance: 2,604.

RECAP: In his Brandon debut, Ferraro scored the first three of his 108 goals that season. Winnipeg actually took a quick 2-0 lead in the first 5:42 of the period, but Brandon led 4-3 after 20 minutes. Byron Lomow had three assists for the Wheat Kings.

1982-83

Medicine Hat 5, Brandon 4

Date: Oct. 1, 1982

BWK goal scorers: Ian Spencer, Syd Cranston, Bruce Thompson, Larry Bumstead.

BWK goalie: Ron Hextall.

Shots: 54-32.

PP: n/a.

Attendance: 1, 693.

RECAP: The Tigers scored the only two goals of the third period as they rallied for the win. Medicine Hat goalie Mark Frank was outstanding in making 50 saves, including 23 in the third period. Brandon took the lead late in the second period with goals 16 seconds apart by Thompson and Bumstead.

1981-82

Brandon 5, Winnipeg 3

Date: Oct. 2, 1981

BWK goal scorers: Tony Camazzola, Kelly Glowa, Mark Schneider, Dean Kennedy, Lance Jervis,

BWK goalie: Todd Lumbard.

Shots: 38-31 BWK.

PP: n/a.

Attendance: 2,224.

RECAP: The Wheat Kings fell behind 2-1 to their Manitoba rivals, the Warriors, but came out to play in the second period, scoring both goals. After Winnipeg tied it early in the third period, Camazzola responded with the winner with just over four minutes remaining.

1980-81

Brandon 4, Winnipeg 3

Date: Sept. 30, 1980

BWK goal scorers: Carl Mokosak, Don Dietrich, Chuck Taylor, Mike Winther.

BWK goalie: Ron Popplestone.

Shots: 35-29 BWK

PP: n/a.

Attendance: 2,046.

RECAP: Winther’s goal was the winner as the Wheat Kings beat the expansion Warriors for the second time in a row after spoiling Winnipeg’s home opener. Mokosak’s shorthanded goal was set up by the hard work of Brandon product Ken Schneider.

1979-80

Brandon 5 Great Falls 1

Date: Sept. 26, 1979

BWK goal scorers: Dave Chartier (2), Norm Chabot, Don Gillen, Brad Kempthorne.

BWK goalie: Rick Knickle.

Shots: 48-34 BWK.

PP: n/a.

Attendance: 1,692.

RECAP: Rookie Kevin Hedley did the work that led to both of Chartier’s goals as Brandon built a 5-0 lead. Rookie Carl Mokosak added a pair of assists. Americans forward Tim Bailey ruined Knickle’s shutout bid midway through the third period.

1978-79

Brandon 12, Medicine Hat 2

Date: Sept. 29, 1978

BWK goal scorers: Brian Propp (4), Tim Lockridge (2), Ray Allison (2), Dave Chartier, Pat Workman, Darren Gusdal, Brant Kiessig.

BWK goalie: Rick Knickle.

Shots: 63-42 BWK.

PP: n/a.

Attendance: 2,976.

RECAP: Propp scored twice in the first minute, had his hat trick 14:06 into the game and contributed four goals and three assists in the opener, with his linemate Allison putting up eight points, with two goals and six helpers. The team went 58-5-9 and won the WHL title that season.

1977-78

Brandon 8, Regina 2

Date: Sept. 25, 1977

BWK goal scorers: Bill Derlago (4), Dave Stewart, Don Gillen, Dave Semenko, Brad McCrimmon.

BWK goalie: Brian Henderson.

Shots: 44-31 BWK.

PP: n/a.

Attendance: 3,152.

RECAP: Dave Stewart and Don Gillen scored in their first WHL games — Stewart also had two assists — and Brad McCrimmon had his first WHL fight after he was jumped by Gerry Galloway. Brandon broke open a close game they were leading 2-1 with four goals in the second period.

1976-77

Brandon 3, Saskatoon 0

Date: Sept. 24, 1976

BWK goal scorers: Dan Bonar (20), Brian Propp.

BWK goalie: Glen Hanlon.

Shots: 36-27 BWK.

PP: n/a.

Attendance: 1,972.

RECAP: Brian Propp scored the first of his 219 career WHL goals midway through the first period, and it stood as the winner. Rookie defenceman Brad McCrimmon added a pair of assists.

1975-76

Flin Flon 5, Brandon 4

Date: Oct. 2, 1975

BWK goal scorers: Mike Bradbury (2), Bill Derlago, Murray Thomson.

BWK goalie: Glen Hanlon.

Shots: 32-20 BWK.

PP: n/a.

Attendance: 2,072.

RECAP: Bill Derlago scored the first of his 234 WCHL goals but the highlight of the night belonged to Flin Flon when Richmond Gosselin sniped the winner with 20 seconds remaining. Brandon led 4-2 after 40 minutes.

1974-75

Brandon 5, Calgary 5

Date: Oct. 6, 1974

BWK goal scorers: Rick Blight (2), Denny McLean (2), Wayne Naka.

BWK goalie: Blaine Peterson.

Shots: 45-23.

PP: n/a

Attendance: 1,752.

RECAP: During a game in which 189 minutes in penalties were assessed, Blight scored on the power play and again 79 seconds later on a penalty shot as the Wheat Kings rallied for a tie in the third period. For the second year in a row, they were saved by the final buzzer as it appeared Centennials forward Larry Lestander had the winner, but it came a moment too late.

1973-74

Brandon 4, Swift Current 4

Date: Oct. 4, 1973

BWK goal scorers: Rick Blight (2), Ron Chipperfield, Scott Hetherington.

BWK goalie: Jim Rankin.

Shots: 42-27 SC.

PP: n/a

Attendance: 1,714.

RECAP: Rookie Ian McPhee scored three goals for the Broncos and put a fourth one in shortly after the final buzzer as the Wheat Kings are fortunate to walk away with a draw. The teams were tied 1-1 after the first and 3-3 after the second.

1972-73

Brandon 13 Winnipeg Jets 1

Date: Oct. 14, 1972

BWK goal scorers: Ron Chipperfield (4), Dale McMullin (2), Doug Murray (2), Ron Pronchuk (2), Leo Parker, Ed Tkachyk, Kelly Greenbank.

BWK goalie: Jim Rankin.

Shots: 33-29 BWK.

PP: BWK 6-13, Wpg 0-5.

Attendance: 5,032.

RECAP: In the first game in the newly opened Keystone Centre, Jets forward Dave Marin opened the scoring 3:07 into the first period to give Winnipeg the lead. Brandon tied the game 11 minutes later, and led 3-1 by the end of the first. They added four goals in the second period and six in the final frame in the rout. Chipperfield celebrated with a six-point night. The 13 goals was most they scored since they put 23 on the board in a game during the 1966-67 season when they were still in the MJHL.

1971-72

Regina 5, Brandon 3

Date: Oct. 12, 1971

BWK goal scorers: Ron Chipperfield, Rob Neale, Neil Melnyk.

BWK goalie: Dave McLelland.

Shots: 45-41 BWK.

PP: n/a

Attendance: 1,102.

RECAP: The Pats scored first, with the teams trading the first five goals. Clark Gillies scored what proved to be the winner — it put his team up 4-2 at the time — early in the third period.

1970-71

Flin Flon 5, Brandon 3

Date: Oct. 8 ,1070

BWK goal scorers: Murray Kennett, Ron Chipperfield, Bob Leslie.

BWK goalie: Don Boyd.

Shots: 42-37 FF.

PP: n/a.

Attendance: 1,646

RECAP: Chuck Arnason had a hat trick and Gene Carr assisted on four of Flin Flon’s goals in the win. Chipperfield scored the first of his 261 regular season goals for Brandon.

1969-70

Brandon 2 Swift Current 1

Date: Oct. 13, 1969

BWK goal scorers: Graham Hern, Bob Leslie.

BWK goalie: Jack Gilroy.

Shots: 41-26 BWK.

PP: n/a

Attendance: 1,100 (approximate)

RECAP: The Broncos opened the scoring midway through the first period but the Wheat Kings took the lead before the period ended with all the goals that would be scored in the game. Gilroy and Swift Current goalie Rodger Kosar were both outstanding.

1968-69

Estevan 7, Brandon 4

Date: Oct. 13, 1968

BWK goal scorers: Jack Borotsik, Ray Butterworth, Roy McLachlan, Bob Leslie.

BWK goalie: Rick Sawry.

Shots: 42-30 BWK.

PP: n/a

Attendance: 1,525

RECAP: Borotsik opened the scoring early on Brandon’s first shot of the game but the visitors led 4-1 in the second period when Ted Temple took over between the pipes for the Wheat Kings. The game included a second period line brawl.

1967-68

Brandon 11, Weyburn 3

Date: Oct. 10, 1967

BWK goal scorers: Roy McLaughlin (3), Jack Borotsik (2), Rick Ewachka (2), Cal Swenson (2), Jack Wells (2).

BWK goalie: John Findlay.

Shots: 37-32 BWK.

PP: n/a

Attendance: 1,200

RECAP: After John Findlay gave up three goals, Ken Johnson blanked Weyburn the rest of the way. The youngster, who doesn’t have a pair of goal skates yet — they’re on the way — made 23 stops after the Red Wings took a 3-1 lead. Roy McLaughlin’s hat trick and Cal Swenson’s five-point led Brandon in the romp.

» pbergson@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @PerryBergson