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Triton
03-21-2006, 11:44 AM
The defending Western Hockey League Eastern Conference Champions should have a familiar face back in the lineup this weekend when they kick off their best of seven opening round playoff series against the Warriors in Moose Jaw.

Finnish left-winger Sami Sandell has been cleared to return to the lineup after missing the past nine games.

A former first round pick in the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft, the 18 year old Sandell will be seeing his first action since hurting a shoulder on February 28th. In 54 games this season, Sandell had eleven goals and 38 points. This past weekend, he was chosen the team's Most Sportsmanlike and Most Improved Player.

Another face that could be in the lineup this weekend is that of 17-year old forward Brandon Lockerby. A former seventh round draft choice of the Wheat Kings in the 2003 WHL Bantam Draft, the Douglas product is coming off an outstanding season with the AAA midgets. In 44 regular season games, Lockerby scored thirty goals and 60 points. He also scored one goal in three games as an affiliate player with the WHL club.

Two players that won't see action in this round or any round for that matter in this year's post-season are Tyler Strautman and Corey Courchene. While Strautman is scheduled to go under the knife in May to repair a bad shoulder, Courchene broke his leg during Brandon's playoff clinching victory over the Saskatoon Blades on March 11th in Winnipeg.

The Wheat Kings began preparations for their opening round playoff series Monday afternoon at the Keystone Centre. Games one and two of the best of 7 Eastern Conference quarterfinal series are scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights at the "Crushed Can" in Moose Jaw. Due to the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, games three and four will be played Monday and Thursday nights at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg.

This will mark the second straight season that the Wheat Kings and Warriors have met in the opening round of the playoffs. Last winter, the heavily favoured Wheat Kings dumped Moose Jaw four games to one in the best of seven affair.

I wouldn't mind if they had called up Sanfred King.

brandonboy
03-24-2006, 01:48 AM
I hope they don't take Kauk of that #1 line for Sandell, it seems to realy be clicking right now.

Triton
03-24-2006, 11:04 AM
They should put him back with Moore and Reaves.That line clicked last year.

Hatguy
03-25-2006, 12:24 AM
Haha Kauk! How do you pronounce his name? Do you say cock or is it Caulck or something strange. That's a great name though.

Triton
03-25-2006, 09:36 AM
Haha Kauk! How do you pronounce his name? Do you say cock or is it Caulck or something strange. That's a great name though.

Kauk is Cow-k..not cock..lol.

brandonboy
03-26-2006, 05:38 AM
They should put him back with Moore and Reaves.That line clicked last year.

Ya it seemed to have a lot of energy didn't it.