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View Full Version : Plante ties franchise record..



Triton
03-06-2006, 09:50 AM
18-year old netminder Tyler Plante moved into some pretty select company Friday night, making 20 saves and backstopping the Brandon Wheat Kings to an impressive 6-0 victory over the visiting Prince Albert Raiders at the Keystone Centre.

Not only did the win move Brandon five points up on Prince Albert in the battle for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Western Hockey League's Eastern Division, it was Plante's second shutout of the season and eighth of his career, moving him into a tie with Jamie Hodson and Glen Hanlon for the Wheat Kings' all time shutout record.

The 2005 WHL Rookie of the Year, Plante already holds the club's Single Season shutout record, after recording six during the 2004-05 campaign.

A second round draft choice of the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers, the Brandon native recently played in his 100th career WHL game. Entering Saturday night's game against the Blades in Saskatoon, Plante's career goals against average is 2.96 - second best in franchise history. Only Robert McVicar's 2.86 goals against mark is better.

Plante is currently third in the WHL with 54 appearances this season. Only Matt Keetley of the Medicine Hat Tigers and Everett Silvertips' Leland Irving have played more.

After getting off to a slow start this season, Plante has been solid since New Years Day. In 23 games since then, he's compiled an impressive 2.32 goals against average and a .919 save percentage as the Wheat Kings have battled back into the WHL playoff race.

Brandon will be hoping to do something that they haven't done all season when they take to the ice in Saskatoon Saturday and that is beat the Blades. The Wheat Kings are currently 0-5-1-1 with three games against Saskatoon over the course of the next week. Brandon will host the Blades Friday night in Brandon before the two teams travel down the highway to Winnipeg to play the following night at the MTS Centre.

Saturday's game will end a busy week for the Wheat Kings, who will be playing their fourth game in five nights.

Brandon's next home game is Wednesday night in Winnipeg against Dustin Boyd and the Moose Jaw Warriors. Fans purchasing a ticket to Wednesday's game at regular price can purchase one for Saturday's game at half price. Tickets to both Winnipeg games are on sale now at the MTS Centre box office, by calling 780-3333 or by going online at ticketmaster.ca