The CHL on Sportsnet midweek edition features Game 5 of the WHL’s Eastern Conference quarterfinal, pitting the Edmonton Oil Kings at home to the Brandon Wheat Kings.
The Wheat Kings can wrap up the series with a win in this one. Otherwise, it’s 1140 km back to Brandon after five days off to play Games 6 and 7 if necessary.
Brandon has won three straight games after dropping the opener at home. Back-to-back 3-2 wins for the Wheat Kings should be a confidence booster for a team that played just 17 one-goal games in the regular season (8-1-4-4).
Jordan Papirny has been at the top of his game in this series, with a save percentage just under .940. His rebound control has been excellent and when that’s failed, the Wheat Kings defence has done a nice job supporting him.
The usual suspects have contributed from the back-end, led by draft eligible Ivan Provorov with three assists in the series. All told, Brandon’s defenceman have contributed 10 points.
There are definitely concerns about the health of Ryan Pilon who was limping noticeably after Game 4. He was used mostly in power-play situations. Luckily for Kelly McCrimmon, he has the luxury of future star Kale Clague who can fill in the spot next to Provorov in even-man situations.
Up front, Morgan Klimchuk did’nt play and he’s not likely to play in Game 5. The Wheat Kings still have plenty of firepower without him although Klimchuk’s presence will be needed if they are to extend their playoff run deep into the spring. In the meantime, Jayce Hawryluk, Tim McGauley and John Quenneville have picked up the slack. Tyler Coulter has produced well, while rookie Nolan Patrick netted the game winner in Game 4.
Edmonton has been in three of the four games of the series and there is that to draw on. A last second attempt by Dysin Mayo at the end of Game 4 would’ve tied the game, but it went all for not. Edmonton had an almost perfect first period, outshooting Brandon 14-6 but had nothing to show for it.
The Oil Kings have to stay in the moment and play this game shift to shift. The daunting task of thinking ahead to Brandon and ultimately thinking about winning the series on the road is too tough a task for this young team to undertake. It’s about winning Game 5 on home ice and then thinking about the future.
Tristan Jarry has been fine in goal. He’s done his part and oddly enough the one big rebound he gave up in Game 4 ended up being the rebound tapped home by Patrick for the game-winner. He hasn’t had as many opportunities to play the puck, but should’ve been given an assist on the Andrew Koep goal.
Defensively, the Wheat Kings have forced Edmonton’s top pairing of Ashton Sautner and Dysin Mayo to spend more time defending than being able to provide offence, and that’s an issue for the Oil Kings who leaned on the pair for 102 points during the regular season.
The Oil Kings squandered a 5-on-3 in the second period that ended up being the difference in the game. Papirny has been Brandon’s best penalty killers, fighting through the screen of the monstrous Brandon Baddock. Edmonton is going to have to be more disciplined and will have to capitalize on the power play if it is to extend the series.
Brandon Wheat Kings
53-11-4-4 (26-8-0-2 Road), 1st Eastern Division, 1st Eastern Conference, 2nd BMO CHL Top 10
Playoffs: 3-1-0 (2-0-0 Road), 3W
Playoff Top Scorers
Playoff Goaltending
Edmonton Oil Kings
34-31-4-3(19-15-1-1 Home), 5th Central Division, 8th Eastern Conference
Playoffs: 1-3-0, (0-2-0 Home), 3L
Playoff Top Scorers
Playoff Goaltending