After an absolutely incredible, record breaking season that wrapped-up with a 55-1-1 record, the Brandon AAA U18 Wheat Kings are entering the Telus Cup National Championship tournament in Membertou, Nova Scotia next week with a big target on their back.
The team has two offensively gifted lines, an incredible shutdown line – which can also contribute offensively – a high energy 4th line, size and skill on the blueline, and two exceptional goalies, the kind of depth needed for the grind of a national championship.
The Wheat Kings schedule:
Game 1 April 22, 3pm vs Cantonniers de Magog (Quebec)
Game 2 April 23, 7pm vs Sydney Rush (Host)
Game 3 April 24, 3pm vs Kensington Wild (Atlantic)
Game 4 April 25, 11am vs Calgary Buffaloes (Pacific)
Game 5 April 26, 3pm vs Markham Waxers (Central)
Four teams will play in the semi-finals on Saturday, with the medal games on Sunday. Semi-final winners play for gold – the runners-up for bronze.
First-up for Brandon, the representative from Quebec. After finishing second during the regular season, Cantonniers de Magog upset the first place Semininaire St Francois in the semi-final and won a very tight final series with Trois-Rivieres to advance to the Telus Cup.
(With reporting from Mike Brolund)