Plante sets team record
Brandon, Manitoba -- Netminder Tyler Plante made history Friday night as the Brandon Wheat Kings ran their winning streak to three games with an exciting 1-0 victory over the visiting Spokane Chiefs at the Keystone Centre.
Plante turned aside thirty shots including 12 in the third period to record his franchise record ninth career Western Hockey League shutout, breaking the previous record of eight that he shared with Jamie Hodson and current Washington Capitals' head coach Glen Hanlon.
Unofficially, the shutout was Plante's second of the season and tenth of his career as the Florida Panthers' second round draft choice teamed up with Kurt Jory to blank the visiting Red Deer Rebels 3-0 on September 29th. The 19-year old Brandon product played 55 of 60 minutes in that game but Jory was called upon to come in when Plante needed some equipment repairs done in the opening period of play.
Entering Saturday's game against the visiting Swift Current Broncos, Plante is 13th in the WHL with a 2.71 goals against average, a .912 save percentage (5th) and 1006 saves (5th) in 2146 minutes played (5th in the WHL).
Friday's game featured stellar netminding at both ends of the rink as Winnipeg's Kevin Armstrong stopped 31 of 32 shots in the Spokane net. The only goal to be scored came on a first period powerplay when a rebound off of Armstrong was redirected into the net by Brandon center Andrew Clark.
The win, coupled with Swift Current's 5-2 loss to the Warriors in Moose Jaw, moved Brandon eight points up on the second place Broncos in the East Division. As well, Brandon vaulted past Red Deer and into third place in the Eastern Conference - one point up on both the Rebels and Calgary Hitmen.
In addition to officially establishing a new franchise record for shutouts, Plante is on the verge of moving past Robert McVicar and into third place on the club's all time list for games and minutes played. Entering Saturday's contest, the former midget AAA Wheat King is one game and two minutes shy of McVicar's career marks.
Another franchise record meanwhile appears to be within striking distance for Plante. In 146 career games, the former third round bantam draft choice has posted an impressive 2.88 goals against average. The Wheat Kings' all time record is 2.86 and is currently held by McVicar.
Following Saturday's game, the Wheat Kings will hit the highway for a 4-game in six night western road swing, beginning Tuesday night in Medicine Hat against the Central Division leading Tigers. Brandon will also play in Lethbridge (Wednesday), Calgary (Friday) and Kootenay (Sunday).
Tickets to Saturday's game - Piston Ring Night - are on sale now at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling 726-3555 or online at ticketmaster.ca. Saturday is also another Source for Sports Family Night. See store for details.
In off ice news, the Wheat Kings have teamed up with Friday's Game Sponsor - The Brandon Sun - to produce a special 2-page retrospective pullout poster in Saturday's edition, featuring the greatest players in Wheat Kings' history. The Brandon Sun celebrated its 125th Birthday on Friday, January 19th
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