QUEBEC CITY P.Q. —The Brandon Wheat Kings played a much better game Sunday afternoon shutting out Moncton, 4-0. Two goals by Toni Rajala and a perfect performance by Wheat Kings goaltender Jacob De Serres led the host team to their first victory after being humiliated by Windsor in the opening game of the tournament.
Trying to dictate the tempo of the game, Moncton began the game applying pressure on the Brandon defense hoping to create some panic. Brandon replied by playing physical and completing their checks.
Brandon got on the scoreboard with a goal by Toni Rajala who beat Moncton goaltender Nicola Riopel with low backhanded shot at 10:14. Moncton was guilty of not moving their feet on the play, standing flat-footed and giving Brandon all time they need to make their play.
The Wheat Kings continued to apply pressure in the second period playing physical hockey and forcing a turnover in Moncton zone. Brandon’s De Serres made key saves on Wildcats incursion in the Brandon zone. The two best Moncton scoring chances in the period came from the stick of Kelsey Tessier but each time De Serres answered the bell keeping Moncton off the scoreboard.
Brandon added two more goals in the second period. Taking a rebound from Brodie Melnychuk shot, Rajala scored his second of the game with a wrist shot over Riopel’s blocker side 8:17 into the period.
A double minor taken by Wildcats center Randy Cameron paved the way to the Wheat Kings’ third goal. An odd man rush by Brandon led to a power play goal by center Brayden Scheen at 12:19 of second period. Matt Calvert hit the post on Cameron second minor penalty missing another golden opportunity.
Brandon dominated the shots on goal department 13- 5 in second leading 24-16 after forty minutes.
Brent Raedeker closed the scoring for Brandon 2:24 into third period. Shane Wiebe and Raedeker went on a two-on-one breakaway. Riopel didn’t have any chance on Brandon last goal in the game.
Moncton will have only one game left to redeem themselves facing the Ontario Hockey League Champion Windsor Spitfires Tuesday at 8:00 pm.
Shots on goal by Periods:
Brandon Wheat Kings: 11-17-10-38
Moncton Wildcats: 11-8-12-31
Goaltenders:
Brandon: Jacob De Serres 31 shots 31 saves
Moncton: Nicola Riopel 38 shots 34 saves
Power plays:
Brandon: 1-3
Moncton: 0-4
Three stars selections:
First: BDN Toni Rajala
Second: BDN Jacob De Serres
Third: BDN Shane Wiebe
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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