Photo by Brandi Pollock
Brandon, MB (CKLQ) – The Brandon Wheat Kings opened the WHL Pre-season on Friday night and dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to the Regina Pats.
The Wheat Kings who were the last team in the WHL to play an exhibition game jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Linden McCorrister picked up a loose puck on a penalty kill and beat Pats netminder Carter Woodside.
Neithan Salame would give Brandon a 2-0 lead when he finished off a three-on-one by snapping a shot over the blocker of Woodside.
Woodside would give way to Kyle Dumba between the pipes for Regina. Woodside stopped nine of eleven shots he faced while Dumba turned aside all 21 shots he faced.
The Pats would cut into the lead before the intermission when Nikita Sedov pinballed a shot past Ethan Kruger for his 2nd of the pre-season.
In the third, despite being outshot 17-4, the Pats managed to tie it up as Austin Pratt tipped home a point for his 2nd of the pre-season.
The Pats would end the game just 0:40 seconds into the extra frame as Pratt snuck a backhand shot past Kruger to complete the comeback.
Kruger played the full game for the Wheat Kings, making 25 saves. It’s expected Dylan Myskiw will get the start in Regina on Saturday.
Brandon finished the night 0/6 on the powerplay while the Pats converted on one of three chances with the extra man.
The two teams will meet again on Saturday night in the Queen City. Game time is 8:00 MB time. Reminder, the game will NOT be broadcast on QCountry 91.5. Fans wanted to listen to the game will have to listen to Phil Andrews and the Regina Pats broadcast team.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st PERIOD
BWK – Linden McCorrister (Unassisted) 6:12 SHG
Shots: 10-9 Regina
2nd PERIOD
BWK – Neithan Salame (Unassisted) 19:37
REG – Nikita Sedov (Schioler) 19:37
Shots: 12-4 Regina
3rd PERIOD
REG – Austin Pratt (Sedov, Gavlas) 11:42 PPG
Shots: 17-4 Brandon
OVERTIME
REG – Austin Pratt (Unassisted) 0:39
Final Shots: 31-28 Brandon
