The Brandon Wheat Kings will be looking to win their first game of 2011 and at the same time end a four-game losing streak when the Western Hockey League team hosts the Calgary Hitmen tonight. The Wheat Kings, who gave up two goals to the Raiders in the final minute on Tuesday and lost 6-5 to Prince Albert, are in the East Division cellar with a record of 13-23-1-4. Brandon is five points back of the fourth place Raiders and one point behind the Regina Pats.
The Wheat Kings yesterday dealt veteran defenceman Darren Bestland to the Vancouver Giants in exchange for overage center Matt MacKay and a 4th round pick in the 2012 Bantam Draft. In 40 games this season, Bestland has four goals, 16 points and 69 penalty minutes. In 173 career games with the Wheat Kings, the Brunkild product has scored 12 goals, 53 points and accumulated 263 minutes in penalties.
MacKay is in his third WHL season after breaking in as an 18-year old rookie with the Moose Jaw Warriors in 2008-09. In 40 games with the Giants this season, the Calgary native has 12 goals, 28 points and 32 minutes in penalties. During his 3-year WHL career, McKay has 89 points including 41 goals in 141 games. MacKay enjoyed a stellar season in 2009-10 as a member of the Medicine Hat Tigers, scoring 23 goals and 52 points in 70 games.
photo courtesy www.wheatkings.com
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