AAA Wheat Kings on to Next Round

  The Brandon AAA Midget Wheat Kings have moved on to the second round of the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League playoffs.
 
  Defenceman James Shearer had a natural hat-trick in the third period as Brandon beat the Yellowhead Chiefs 6-3 on Wednesday night to complete a sweep of their Best-of-Five Quarter-Final series.
 
  Shearer first two goals came less than two minutes apart early in the third period, and turned a 3-2 Brandon lead into a 5-2 advantage.
 
  "Getting those two goals, helping the boys out and getting into open spots," said Shearer, "I think it all came down to just getting open, and the guys finding areas and getting the heads up and passing the puck.  It was a real team effort tonight."
 
  Duncan Campbell added a goal and two assists for Brandon with Josh Kobelka and Robert Hechler also scoring for the Wheat Kings.
 
  Derek Cross, Morgan Geekie and Logan Young scored the goals for Yellowhead.
 
  "We had a lot of young guys, we only graduate five players this year," said Yellowhead coach Chad Facey, "All the young guys had to play a lot minutes, especially through the injuries through the series.  He had a lot of key injuries, and it made a big difference."
 
  Tyler Gutenberg stopped 23 shots for Brandon while Brett Friesen stopped 39 shots for the Chiefs.
 
  Brandon will face either Eastman or Kenora in the next round.
 
  The Selects beat the Southwest Cougars 4-2 on Wednesday night to sweep their quarter-final series, while the Winnipeg Wild also advanced to the second round with a 4-3 overtime victory over Pembina Valley.
 
  Kenora downed the Winnipeg Thrashers 3-2 Wednesday, but the Thrashers still lead that Best-of-Five Quarter-Final 2-1.