Photo by Keith Hershmiller
The strangest, most unique season in WHL history finally came to a close on Wednesday night. The Brandon Wheat Kings took a loss on the scoresheet, but were handed the inagural Subway Cup post-game, winners of the WHL’s East Division.
The Wheat Kings clinched their 14th Division Pennant on Sunday in a 5-1 win over Saskatoon and officially wrapped up the 2021 abbreviated season on Wednesday afternoon.
Following the game, league officials awarded the Wheat Kings with a unique, first of it’s kind division championship trophy.
“The 2020-21 WHL Season will enter the history books unlike any season prior,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “The WHL commends all players, staff, and officials, who sacrificed their normal way of life to enter the WHL Hub Centre and play with their same fierce competitiveness that is renowned with the Western Hockey League.”
With a record of 18-4-2-0 and 38 points through a 24-game regular season schedule, the Brandon Wheat Kings reign supreme as the top team in the East Division.
No team in the East Division scored more than the Wheat Kings, who racked up an impressive 104 goals for in 24 games (4.33 goals per game).
On the defensive side, the Wheat Kings were also the stingiest team in the East Division, allowing a mere 61 goals in 24 games (2.54 goals against per game).
“In such a unique and challenging season as this, it is important to recognize the accomplishments of our teams and we are pleased to present the Brandon Wheat Kings with the Subway Cup,” added Robison.
Meanwhile, in the first of a double-header finale on Wednesday the Wheat Kings got two goals from 20-year-old Lynden McCallum but it wasn’t enough as they fell 5-2 to the Blades.
In the late game, the Prince Albert Raiders wrapped up the season with a 6-5 OT win over the Swift Current Broncos.