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Wheaties close out three-game road trip

Regina, Saskatchewan -- The second half of the 2006-07 Western Hockey League regular season may be less than a week old but for the Eastern Division leading Brandon Wheat Kings, they've already played four games including three on a recent road trip out west.

After dropping a disappointing 3-2 Overtime Shootout decision to the visiting Saskatoon Blades last Wednesday, the Wheat Kings managed to collect four of a possible six points during the excursion that saw Brandon beat the Rebels 3-2 in a Friday night Shootout, double up on the Calgary Hitmen 4-2 before close to 9,000 fans at the Pengrowth Saddledome on Saturday, before dropping a 3-0 decision to the Pats in Regina on New Years Day.

Tyler Dittmer scored his second Shootout game winning goal of the season on Friday against the club that chose him in the third round of the 2004 WHL bantam draft. The following night, the Wheat Kings erupted for four third period goals en route to the come from behind win against the Hitmen. On Monday, however, Pats' goalkeeper Linden Rowat was the difference as he turned aside thirty-four shots including 27 through the first two periods as Regina beat the Wheat Kings for the third time in four games this season.

Brandon returns home nursing a 5-point lead atop the division with a record of 20-14-2-5, good for 47 points. Swift Current is in second place, followed by Prince Albert nine points off the pace. The Raiders, who acquired Brandon product Devon LeBlanc from Red Deer over the weekend in exchange for Scott Doucet, currently have three games in hand. As for the Eastern Conference standings, the Wheat Kings and Calgary are tied for fourth place.

The Wheat Kings won't play again until Friday night when they play host to the surging Saskatoon Blades at the Keystone Centre for the second time in just over a week. The Blades enter 2007 riding a 7-game winning streak.

Friday night's game features the annual Family Skate Game, sponsored by The Home Depot and 10 FM The Farm. Fans are encouraged to bring their skates and cameras to the game and join their favorite players on the ice for a "free" public skate following the game.

Tickets to Friday's game are on sale now at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling 726-3555 or online at ticketmaster.ca

In other Wheat King news, 19-year old center Codey Burki enters 2007 sitting in second place in the WHL scoring race - one point back of Red Deer's Martin Hanzal, 20-year old Jeff Topilko played in his 250th career WHL game on Friday night in Red Deer, captain Teegan Moore who collected his 99th and 100th career WHL points in Saturday's win in Calgary, is on the verge of becoming one of only eight players in franchise history to reach the 300-game plateau. The 20-year old Thompson product has played in 298 games during his 5-year WHL career.

Brandon doesn't expect to have Slovakian born right-winger Juraj Simek back in its lineup this Friday as the Vancouver Canucks' sixth round draft choice is currently skating with Switzerland at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Sweden. Switzerland (1-3-0) will play relegation games Tuesday and Thursday against Slovakia and Germany.

Simek is the first Wheat King to represent Brandon at the world junior championship since Jordin Tootoo brought home a silver medal from the 2003 tournament in Halifax.

Brandon Wheat Kings Game Notes 12/31

1/1/2007: Brandon @ Regina Pats @ Brandon 14:00

GAME NOTES: The WHEAT KINGS will be looking to kick off 2007 the way they closed out 2006 New Years Day when they travel to REGINA to meet the PATS...Monday's game will bring the curtain down on a 3-game road trip that began Friday night in RED DEER and continued the following night in CALGARY...BRANDON is 2-0-0-1 since the 10-day Christmas break thanks to back to back road wins against the REBELS (3-2 in a Shootout) and CALGARY (4-2)...With the victories, BRANDON finished December with a record of 4-3-2-3...BRANDON has not suffered a losing month this year...Friday's win over the REBELS marked the fourth ti me in six games that the WHEAT KINGS had been involved in an Overtime Shootout...BRANDON is currently 2-2-5 in nine games decided in Overtime this season...Friday's win over the REBELS also snapped a 5-game winless (0-3-1-1) streak on the road for the WHEAT KINGS, who enter 2007 with a record of 20-13-2-5, good for 47 points and a five point lead on the second place SWIFT CURRENT BRONCOS in the Western Hockey League's Eastern Division...BRANDON is 12-3-1-3 on home ice and 8-10-1-2 away from home...WHEATS are 3-2-2-3 in their last ten games and against Eastern Division clubs, BRANDON is 7-4-1-2...Saturday's win over the HITMEN marked the first time since early October that the WHEAT KINGS have won back to back road games...and they've managed at least a point in eight of their last 9 games (3-1-2-3)...Their only loss in regulation time during that 9-game stretch was a 3-1 loss to the RAIDERS in PRINCE ALBERT on December 13th...BRANDON returns home Friday night to meet the visiting SASKATOON BLADES.

LAST GAME: Trailing 1-0 through forty minutes of play, captain TEEGAN MOORE keyed a 4-goal third period outburst with a pair of goals as the WHEAT KINGS came from behind to beat the HITMEN 4-2 in CALGARY...Defencemen DARYL BOYLE and CHAD ERB, with his first of the season and second of his WHL career, rounded out the scoring for the WHEAT KINGS, who outshot CALGARY 30-24...BRANDON went 1-5 with the man advantage while killing off 3 of 4 HITMEN powerplays...WHEAT KINGS have killed off 13 of 15 penalties during the first two games of this road trip...Saturday's win marked the third time this season that the WHEAT KINGS have come back to win a game that they were trailing through two periods of play (3-10-0-2)...The win also moved BRANDON into a fourth place tie with the HITMEN in the Eastern Conference standings.

VS. REGINA PATS: This is the fourth meeting of the season between these two teams, the second in REGINA and third in the past two weeks...BRANDON is currently 1-0-0-2 against the PATS, losing 5-4 in REGINA in an Overtime Shootout on December 16th to close out their pre-Christmas schedule...ANDREW CLARK (2-2-4) leads BRANDON in scoring while MARK DERLAGO and THERAN YEO have three points each...Netminder TYLER PLANTE is 1-0-0-1 with a 2.90 goals against average and a .905 save percentage...WHEATS have outscored the PATS 11-9...BRANDON is 3-18 on the powerplay while managing to kill off 16-23...BRANDON was 5-4-0 vs. REGINA in 2005-06.

MILESTONES: Saturday's 2-goal effort in CALGARY was TEEGAN MOORE'S 99th and 100th career WHL points. MOORE has also moved to within three games of 300...JEFF TOPILKO played in his 250th career game on Friday night in RED DEER while MARK LOUIS played his 200th on Dec. 16th in REGINA...DUSTIN KOHN is 5 assists shy of 100 while CODEY BURKI is two points away from 150...Netminder TYLER PLANTE has become one of only four BRANDON goalkeepers to eclipse the 8,000 minute mark during their WHL career. PLANTE has played 142 WHL games (5 shy of ROBERT MCVICAR and third place on the club's all time list) and 8,211 minutes (321 minutes short of McVICAR and third place). PLANTE'S career goals again st average of 2.93 is second all time (McVICAR'S career average was 2.86).

WHEATIES REPRESENTED AT WJHC: For the first time since JORDIN TOOTOO came home with a silver medal in 2003, the WHEAT KINGS are being represented at the World Junior Hockey Championship...Slovakian born right-winger JURAJ SIMEK, who scored twice in Wednesday's opener against BELARUS, is a member of SWITZERLAND'S National Junior Team for the second straight season...CODEY BURKI and DUSTIN KOHN were among the final cuts from Canada's Team.

DID YOU KNOW? CODEY BURKI has closed to within one point of WHL scoring leader MARTIN HANZAL of the RED DEER REBELS with 21 goals and 53 points...MARK DERLAGO (25-20-45) is third in the WHL in goals with 25...Rookie JURAJ SIMEK is second in goals (22) among first year players and second in the league in powerplay goals with 14...DUSTIN KOHN is 7th in scoring among blueliners and fourth in the WHL with a +19 ranking...DANIEL BARTEK is 4th in the WHL with 3 shorthanded goals...TYLER PLANTE leads the WHL with 1904 minutes played and 900 saves...THERAN YEO is second in the WHL with 136 penalty minutes...Despite scoring just 3 goals this season, local product TYLER DITTMER has two game winning Shootout tallies...BRANDON' ;S powerplay (21.7%) is second in the WHL, while its penalty killing (80.6%) is 14th in the 21-team circuit.

Plante nets monthly award

Brandon, Manitoba - A former Western Hockey League Rookie of the Year has been named the Brandon Wheat Kings' Tip Top Tailors Player of the Month for December.

A second round draft choice of the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers, Plante enters 2007 among the league leaders in goals against average (2.90), wins (15), and appearances (32). As well, the 19-year old local product leads the WHL in both saves (900) and minutes played (1,904).

In December, Plante compiled a 4-2-2-2 record in ten appearances, a stellar 2.73 goals against average and a .914 save percentage as Brandon regained top spot in the WHL's Eastern Division and to within striking distance of second place in the Eastern Conference.

Heading into Friday's game against the visiting Saskatoon Blades, the Wheat Kings sit atop the division with a record of 20-14-2-3, good for 47 points and a five point cushion on the second place Swift Current Broncos. Brandon is also tied with Calgary for fourth place in the Conference and thanks to this weekend's road trip that saw the Wheat Kings collect four of a possible six points, the Wheat Kings have closed to within two points of third place Red Deer and five of the second place Kootenay Ice.

In addition to winning December's Player of the Month honours, Plante joined some pretty select company in becoming one of only four Brandon goalkeepers to eclipse the 8,000 minute mark during their WHL career. The former midget AAA Wheat King star has played in 142 games (five shy of Robert McVicar and third place on the club's all time list) and 8,211 minutes (321 minutes short of McVicar). As well, his career goals against average of 2.93 is second all time. McVicar posted a 2.86 goals against mark during his Wheat King career.

WHEAT KINGS' ALL TIME LEADERS: GAMES PLAYED MINUTES PLAYED

Glen Hanlon 172 &n bsp; Glen Hanlon 9,805

Byron Penstock 158 Byron Penstock 9,047

Robert McVicar 147 Robert McVicar 8,527

Tyler Plante 142 Tyler Plante 8,211

Jamie Hodson 131 &nbs p; Jamie Hodson 7,167

In recognition of the honour, Tyler will receive a shirt, tie and suit from Tip Top Tailors in the Shoppers Mall, the official menswear clothier of the Wheat Kings during this Friday's game against the Blades at the Keystone Centre.

Tickets to Friday's game are on sale now at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling 726-3555 or online at ticketmaster.ca

In WHL news, Reid Jorgensen of the Kamloops Blazers has been named the Boston Pizza Player of the Week for the week ending New Years Eve.

In three games last week, Jorgenson had five goals and eight points.

Bruins acquire defenceman

The Chilliwack Bruins have completed a trade with the Spokane Chiefs, sending 20 year old defenceman Stephane Lenoski to the Spokane Chiefs in exchange for 6'5 18 year old defenceman Matt McCue.

Lenoski, acquired by the Bruins from the Brandon Wheat Kings in last summer's expansion draft has 4 goals and 16 assists in 35 games for the Bruins this year.

Last year, McCue played 56 games with Spokane in his second full season in the WHL. The Cochrane, Alberta native scored five goals and 15 points while recording 125 penalty minutes, third on the team. In his rookie season, McCue appeared in 21 games and posted 35 penalty minutes. McCue, who attended the San Jose Sharks camp prior to this season, was a second round selection, 27th overall by Spokane in the 2003 WHL Bantam Draft.

"Matt is a big, physical defenceman who has experience at the WHL level," said Bruins General Manager Darrell May. "He will be able to contribute not only right away but in the future as well."

McCue is expected to be in the Bruins lineup this weekend.

Cleveland Indians Grady Sizemore to Drop Ceremonial Puck

Everett, WA - The first place Everett Silvertips will welcome the second place Seattle Thunderbirds to the Everett Events Center on Saturday Night at 7:05 p.m. There are less than 500 tickets left for the I-5 battle and that includes about 100 Standing Room Only Tickets. To order tickets call 866-332-8499 or visit the EEC Box Office from 12 p.m.- 6 p.m. Monday-Friday or 10 a.m- until the end of the 2nd Intermission on Saturday.

Current Cleveland Indians All-Star Centerfielder and former Cascade High School baseball star Grady Sizemore will drop the ceremonial puck at the start of the Everett-Seattle game Saturday night.

In 2006, Sizemore had perhaps his best major league season to date. He was selected to his first All-Star Game as a reserve outfielder. In the All-Star game he had two at bats and went 0-2. In addition to all of his offense, he also was a very fine center fielder making some spectacular plays in center, left-center, and right- center field. Overall in 2006 Sizemore batted .290 with 28 home runs and 78 RBI. He played in all 162 games the Indians played. He scored 134 runs, had 190 hits, 52 double, 11 triples and 22 steals. His OBP was .375, and his SLG was .533

Sizemore graduated from Cascade High School in Everett, Washington in 2000. A noted high school star in football, basketball, and baseball, Sizemore signed a letter of intent to play football and baseball at the University of Washington. At the time of his high school graduation, Sizemore was the Cascade all- time leader in rushing yards with 3,081 yards and interceptions with 16.

Silvertips Win Two in a Row

Tonight the Everett Silvertips took down the Kelowna Rockets by a final score of 4-1. This was the third meeting of four and the Silvertips lead the series 2-1. Everett is now 11-1 against the BC Division this season. With the win Everett jumps to 29-5-0-1, 1st place in the Western Conference and 1st place in the US Division with 59 points. The Rockets fall to 11-21-2-3, 4th place BC Division with 27 points.

The Silvertips drew first blood at 5:29 of the first period. Zack Dailey sent a pass across the crease and Ondrej Fiala was waiting at the back door to put Everett on the board with one. Later that period Kelowna tied it up after a shot from Colin Long trickled through David Reekie while they had a 5-on-4 advantage.

In the second Eric Doyle one-timed it from the left point, while on a power play, at 5:15 to push Everett up by one. This would end up being the game winning goal. Five minutes later, again with the Silvertips on a power play, Moises Gutierrez wristed one by Kristofer Westblom to extend their lead by two. Then at 12:13 of the third period Brennan Sonne scored a great insurance goal, his shot going in top shelf, to finalize the scoreboard at 4-1.

Ondrej Fiala, Eric Doyle, Zack Dailey, Taylor Ellington, Jesse Smyke and Damir Alic all tallied one assist a piece. Starting in goal for Everett was David Reekie. Reekie played a little over 56 minutes and made 17 stops on 18 shots. His record inflates to 11-5. Shane Barrie was put in with just under four minutes left in the game, making his WHL debut. In the pipes for the Rockets was Kristofer Westblom. Westblom made 17/21 saves but drops his record to 10-19-0-1. On the power play Everett converted on 2/10 while Kelowna scored on 1/7. The Silvertips out shot their opponents 21-18.

Tomorrow night, Saturday December 30th, the Everett Silvertips will host the Seattle Thunderbirds. The puck drops in the Everett Events Center at 7:05.

Silvertips Down Thunderbirds 3-0

Tonight in front of a sold out crowd of 8,512 fans the Everett Silvertips shut out the Seattle Thunderbirds by a final score of 3-0. This was the seventh meeting of ten between the I-5 rivals and Everett leads the series 5-2. Everett moves up to 30-5-0-1 and 61 points, still first in the Western Conference and the US Division. Seattle falls to 17-10-1-9 and 44 points, second in the US Division.

After a scoreless opening period Dan Gendur scored the first goal of the game at 8:18 of the second period. Kyle Beach carried the puck over the blue line, maneuvered out of the way of two Seattle defenders and sent the puck to Gendur who was racing up the right side of the ice.

At 1:39 of the third Jason Fransoo one-timed it from center point to push the Silvertips up to 2-0 while they were on a 4-on-3 power play. Then late in the period Graham Potuer earned his first tally on the season after he flipped the puck from the Everett zone all the way down the center of the ice into an empty net.

Kyle Beach, Zach Hamill, Jesse Zetariuk and Mike Alexander all tallied one assist a piece. In the net for Everett was David Reekie. Reekie stopped all 34 Seattle shots he faced and moves up to 12-5. He also records his first shut out of the season. Derek Yeomans guarded the net for the Thunderbirds and made 14 saves on 16 shots. His goaltending history falls to 12-7-1-7. On the power play Everett converted on 1/5 while Seattle was scoreless on seven opportunities. The Thunderbirds out shot the Silvertips 34-17 in the hockey game.

The Everett Silvertips are home again on Wednesday, January 3rd. In the first game of 2007 they will host the Red Deer Rebels. The puck drops at 7:05pm.

Four Games in Five Nights for the Silvertips this Week

The Everett Silvertips will be a busy team to start 2007 when the hockey club will play four games in five nights this week. The Silvertips are currently in first place in the US Division and currently have the best record in the WHL with a 30-5-0-1 (61 points) record.

Everett will start 2007 against the Red Deer Rebels on Wednesday night at the Everett Events Center. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. The Silvertips will hit the road on Friday night in Spokane, WA to battle the Spokane Chiefs at the Spokane Arena at 7:00 p.m. The Silvertips will return home on Saturday and Sunday at the Everett Events Center to face off against the Medicine Hat Tigers and the Portland Winter Hawks. The game against the Tigers will begin at 7:05 p.m. while the Sunday game against the Winter Hawks will start at 5:05 p.m. For tickets for this week's home games at the Everett Events Center, log onto Everett Silvertips or call the EEC Box Office at 1-866-332-8499.

SILVERTIPS LEADING SCORERS

The Silvertips are led in scoring by Zach Hamill (15 goals, 30 assists) and Peter Mueller (8 goals, 37 assists) with 45 points. Kyle Beach (19 goals, 17 assists) is 2nd on the team in scoring with 36 points. Mueller currently leads the Silvertips in assists (37) while Kyle Beach leads the team in goals scored (19). Silvertips defenseman, Graham Potuer leads the hockey club in +/- with a +11. In goal, Leland Irving has posted 19 wins, 1.55 GAA, 93.9% SP and 6 Shutouts. David Reekie is currently 11-2 with the Silvertips and has posted a 1.67 GAA, 92.8% SP and 1 shutout with Everett this season.

SILVERTIPS AMONG LEAGUE LEADERS

Silvertips forward Peter Mueller (8 goals, 37 assists) is tied for 6th in the WHL in scoring with 45 points. Mueller is also 2nd in the WHL in assists (37). Zach Hamill (15 goals, 30 assists) is currently tied for 6th in the WHL in scoring with 45 points. First year forward Kyle Beach (19 goals, 17 assists) is 5th in the WHL in rookie scoring with 36 points and is the leading scorer among all 16 year olds in the WHL. Defenseman Jason Fransoo (7 goals, 22 assists) is 6th among all WHL defensemen in scoring with 29 points. Defenseman Jesse Zetariuk (5 goals, 17 assists) is 12th in defensemen scoring with 22 points. In goal, Leland Irving is leading all WHL netminders in GAA (1.55), SP (93.9%), Shutouts (6) and is 3rd in Wins (19). David Reekie is currently 4th in the WHL in GAA (2.04).

SILVERTIPS SPECIAL TEAMS

The Everett Silvertips are 1st in the WHL on the power play (69 for 306, 22.5%) and tied for 1st on the penalty kill (252 for 277, 91.0%).

VERSUS THE RED DEER REBELS

Wednesday night will be the first and only regular season meeting between the Rebels and the Silvertips this season. The Silvertips are 2-1 all time against the Rebels in franchise history and 1-0 all time against Red Deer at the Everett Events Center. Last season, the Silvertips defeated the Rebels 2-1 (SO) in a shootout at the Enmax Centrium in Red Deer, AB.

VERSUS THE SPOKANE CHIEFS

Friday night will be the fifth of eight meetings between the Silvertips and the Chiefs. The Silvertips are 1-2-0-1 against the Chiefs this season and 0-2 against Spokane at Spokane Arena. Everett is 19-10-1 (SOL)-1 (Tie) all time against the Chiefs in franchise history and 8-6-1 (Tie) all time against the Chiefs in Spokane, WA. In their last meeting on December 12, the Chiefs defeated the Silvertips 4-2 at Spokane Arena. Future Meetings: February 9: @ Everett, March 3: @ Everett, March 6: @ Spokane.

VERSUS THE MEDICINE HAT TIGERS

Saturday night will be the first and only regular season meeting between the two hockey clubs this season. The Silvertips are 2-1 against the Tigers in franchise history and 1-0 against the Tigers at the Everett Events Center. Last season, the Tigers defeated the Silvertips 3-1 at The Arena in Medicine Hat, AB.

VERSUS THE PORTLAND WINTER HAWKS

Sunday night will be the fourth of ten meetings between the two US Division rivals this season. The Silvertips are 3-0 against the Hawks this season and 1-0 against Portland at the Everett Events Center. The Silvertips are 22-9-2 (SOL)-4 (Tie) all time against the Winter Hawks in franchise history and 11-5-1 (SOL)-3 (Tie) all time against Portland at the Everett Events Center. In their last meeting on December 2, the Silvertips defeated the Winter Hawks 4-3 at Memorial Coliseum in Portland, OR. Future Meetings: January 12: @ Everett, January 13: @ Portland, January 24: @ Everett, January 26: @ Portland, March 2: @ Everett, March 9: @ Portland.

JOHN LAMMERS BOBBLEHEAD DOLL GIVEAWAY WEDNESDAY NIGHT

The first 1,000 fans through the main doors will receive a John Lammers bobblehead doll courtesy of Abbey Carpet on Wednesday night at the Everett Events Center when the Silvertips take on the Red Deer Rebels. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.

LISTEN TO SILVERTIPS HOCKEY ON NORTH SOUND 1380 ESPN RADIO

All 72 Everett Silvertips games can be heard on the flagship station for Silvertips hockey on North Sound 1380 AM ESPN Radio. Keith Gerhart will begin his 4th season behind the microphone as the voice of the Silvertips. New color analyst Al Kinisky will join Gerhart for all Silvertips home games and selected road games. Fans can also listen to Silvertips hockey via the internet on everettsilvertips.com and listen inside the Everett Events Center on 107.3 FM. The Everett Silvertips post game show and After the Game Show will take place at the Ice Box inside the Everett Events Center after all home games. A Silvertips player will join Keith and the crew during the broadcast.

WATCH EVERETT SILVERTIPS RINKSIDE ON EVERETT CHANNEL 21

Catch an all new season of Everett Silvertips Rinkside on Everett Channel 21 all season long. The show will air daily at 4:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The show will also air during the evening at 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. every night on Channel 21.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Wednesday, January 3: Red Deer Rebels @ Everett Silvertips, 7:05 p.m. (Everett Events Center)

Friday, January 5: Everett Silvertips @ Spokane Chiefs, 7:00 p.m. (Spokane Arena)

Saturday, January 6: Medicine Hat Tigers @ Everett Silvertips, 7:05 p.m. (Everett Events Center)

Sunday, January 7: Portland Winter Hawks @ Everett Silvertips, 5:05 p.m. (Everett Events Center)

Rockets Flight Plan

The holiday season is probably the best time to play one of the league's top teams. So, it might seem like good timing for the Rockets who meet the Everett Silvertips tonight at Prospera Place.

Everett is arguably the best team in the WHL. Their 57 points has them 15 points ahead of Tri-Cities for first place in the U.S. Division. As well, they are tied with Vancouver for second place in the overall league standings just 3 points behind the Medicine Hat Tigers. But, Everett has 3 games in hand on the Giants and 6 in hand on the Tigers.

The Rockets' timing is fortuitous in that 2 of Everett's best players are in Sweden competing for their respective countries at the 2007 World Junior Championships. Starting goaltender, Leland Irving is with Team Canada and forward Peter Mueller with Team USA. Unfortunately, the possible continued absence of 3 starting, Kelowna defensemen will likely offset any advantage there.

Colin Joe and David Schulz both suffered concussions during the team's pre-Christmas road trip and missed Wednesday's 3-2 win over Chilliwack. They are listed as day-to-day. Tysen Dowzak is still on the shelf with a knee injury sustained earlier in December and is also listed as day-to-day.

The last time the Silvertips were in town was, coincidently, Kelowna's last home game before the aforementioned road trip and Christmas break. That night, December 8th, was one of the season's high points for the Rockets. They shut out Everett 2-0 in the game behind the great goaltending of Kris Westblom who stopped 14 shots in the third period alone.

Since that game, Everett made a major deal that cost them the services of Captain Cody Thoring and Kelowna-native Brady Calla. That was the price that GM Doug Soetaert had to pay to acquire 20-year-old, puck moving defenseman, Jesse Zetariuk from the Moose Jaw Warriors. Interestingly enough, Calla and Thoring will be in town Saturday when the Warriors meet the Rockets.

Meanwhile, the Rockets' forward lines have enjoyed some stability since the team's six player trade with Regina in early December. Jason MacDonald has found a home between Craig Cuthbert and James McEwan on a grinding forward unit that has given the team physical play and energy in its short time together.

Justin Bernhardt has fit in nicely on right wing along with Chris Ray and Cody Almond. That line scored the game winner vs. Chilliwack and is starting to gel. Bernhardt's great puck patience means the line has the puck more of the time.

Entering tonight's game, Kelowna is in fourth place in the BC Division one point ahead of the Bruins and 6 behind Prince George. They have 2 games in hand on Chilliwack and 1 in hand on the Cougars.

T-Birds ruffle Winter Hawks feathers

Seattle, December 29, 2006 - The Seattle Thunderbirds beat the Portland Winter Hawks 6-1 Friday night in front of 5,093 at KeyArena.

Seattle is 17-9-1-9 in the race for the U.S. Division. The Thunderbirds have 44 points and are in sole possession of second place, with a game advantage over the idle Tri-City Americans.

The Winter Hawks (11-24-0-1) got on the board at 5:05 of the first period on a goal from Tristan King. Max Gordichuk had the lone assist. The T-Birds tied the game at 11:31 of the first on a power-play goal from Aaron Gagnon. Defensemen Thomas Hickey fired a wrister from the point that was knocked down in traffic and fell to the ice. Bud Holloway attempted a put back from above the crease that hit Portland goalie Chris Ward in the pads and fell left of the crease, to a stationed Gagnon, for the uncontested score. The goal was Gagnon's 17th in the last 16 games and increased his point streak to three games.

Scott Jackson gave the T-Birds a 2-1 lead at 15:50 of the first with his third goal of the year. Jackson fired a wrist shot from the point that sailed past two Portland defenders and found the back of the net, as Ward's view was blocked by the congestion in front of the net. Gagnon had the lone assist on the T-Birds second power-play goal of the period.

Seattle outshot Portland 19-8 in the first.

Holloway added another at 15:21 of the second period with his 12th goal of the year. Gagnon recovered the loose puck at center ice and led the break down the near boards into the Portland zone. Gagnon centered the puck to Jan Eberle, who was denied by Ward. Holloway recovered the puck that trickled out left of the crease and with his back to Ward, spun around and slid the puck past the skate of Ward at the left post for the 3-1 lead. With the assist, Gagnon moves to third overall in the WHL in scoring with 50 points.

The T-Birds added another at 16:14 of the second on a goal from Ian McKenzie. The puck sailed into the Portland zone, over the head of Ward, and landed behind the net. Ward left the crease to play the puck off the boards, but is attempt to clear the puck was spoiled by a tricky bounce off the boards that left the puck at the skates of McKenzie for the easy score.

McKenzie did it again at 16:47 of the second with his ninth goal of the year. Greg Scott stole the puck near center ice and centered a pass to McKenzie in the slot. McKenzie drew Ward from the crease and deaked him with a little left, right, left move that gave him a clear shot at the net for his second goal of the night. Brett Robertson also had an assist on the lead-increasing 5-1 goal.

Seattle outshot Portland 11-8 in the second and 30- 16 through two periods.

The T-Birds added another at 16:32 of the third period on the ninth goal of the year from Scott. Scott slid the puck past Ward on the glove side to make it 6-1. McKenzie and Colin Scherger had the assists. Scherger's assist was his first point in the WHL.

Seattle outshot Portland 4-3 in the third and 34-19 on the night.

Jacob DeSerres turned away 18 of 19 shots and improved his record to 5-3-0-2.

Ward stopped 28 of 34 and watched his record fall to 0-5-0-0.

The Thunderbirds close out 2006 with a three game road trip against U.S. Division foes the Everett Silvertips, Portland Winter Hawks, and Tri-City Americans. The T-Birds and Silvertips are at the Everett Event Center on Saturday, December 30. The T-Birds fly south on Sunday, December 31, for a New Year's Eve match up with the Winter Hawks. Finally, the Thunderbirds ring in the New Year against the Americans on Wednesday, January 3, in Kennewick.

Thunderbird tickets are currently on sale for all 2006- 07 regular season home games. Tickets are priced at $20, $16 & $12 Tickets may be purchased by calling 206-628-0888 or 206-448-PUCK (7825) or online at Seattle Thunderbirds Hockey. Tickets may also be purchased at all TicketMaster Outlets, the KeyArena West Box Office Monday - Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM and The Hockey Store located at 14326 124th Ave NE in Kirkland. For additional ticket information on Season Tickets and Group Rates please call 206- 448-PUCK.

Silvertips beat T-birds

Everett - The Everett Silvertips defeated the Seattle Thunderbird 3-0 Saturday night at the Everett Events Center.

The T-Birds record is now 17-10-1-9 and they are in second place in the US Division.

Seattle outshot Everett 11-5 in a scoreless first period. Dan Gendur put the Silvetips up 1-0 at 8:18 of the second period. Kyle Beach had the only assist.

Seattle led 24-11 in total shots going into the second intermission after outshooting the Tips 13-6 in the second period.

The T-Birds thought they had tied the game 1-1 with a shorthanded goal by Aaron Gagnon early in the third period. The referees waved the goal off though and said the net was off its moorings when the puck was scored. Video replay after the game indicated Gagnon scored and the goal should have counted.

Jason Fransoo scored a power-play goal at 1:39 of the third to give Everett (30-5-0-1) a 2-0 lead. Zach Hamill had the only assist on the goal.

Graham Potuer gave the Silvertips a 3-0 lead with a shorthanded empty-net goal at 17:18 of the third. Jesse Zetariuk and Mike Alexander had the assists.

Seattle goalie Derek Yeomans made 16 saves on 18 shots and his record is now 12-7-1-7.

Everett goalie David Reekie made 34 saves to get the shutout and improve his record to 12-5-0-0.

The T-Birds finish out the year in Portland for a New Year's Eve game against the Winter Hawks at 5:05 p.m. This is the 12th consecutive year the two teams have met in Portland on New Year's Eve.

Thunderbird tickets are currently on sale for all 2006- 07 regular season home games. Tickets are priced at $20, $16 & $12 Tickets may be purchased by calling 206-628-0888 or 206-448-PUCK (7825) or online at Seattle Thunderbirds Hockey. Tickets may also be purchased at all TicketMaster Outlets, the KeyArena West Box Office Monday - Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM and The Hockey Store located at 14326 124th Ave NE in Kirkland. For additional ticket information on Season Tickets and Group Rates please call 206- 448-PUCK.

T-Birds end year with win over Winter Hawks

Portland, December 31, 2006 - Brett Robertson will certainly remember his first goal as a Seattle Thunderbird.

The newly acquired center scored with 41 seconds remaining in the game Sunday night at the Rose Garden to lead the T-Birds to a 4-3 victory over the Portland Winter Hawks.

Defenseman Scott Jackson carried the puck into the Portland zone on the left side. Robertson came off the bench on a line change and skated hard towards the slot. Jackson made a cross-ice pass to the unchecked Robertson who one-timed the pass past Portland goalie Kurtis Mucha high on the glove side for the game-winning goal.

Robertson, acquired from the Prince George Cougars on December 27 for Chris Durand, also had an assist in the game when he set up Greg Scott on Seattle's third goal of the game. Seattle is now 18-10-1-9 and in second place in the US Division.

This was the 12th consecutive year the T-Birds and Winter Hawks have met in Portland for a New Year's Eve game.

The Winter Hawks outshot the T-Birds 13-12 in a scoreless first period.

Seattle took a 1-0 lead at 4:57 of the second period on a great individual performance by Aaron Gagnon. Benn Olson worked the puck up the right boards to Bud Holloway at center ice. Holloway put the puck into the Portland zone where Gagnon chased it down with Portland defender Max Gordichuk chasing Gagnon. When he got to the puck, just below the hash marks on boards in the Portland zone, Gagnon made a move around Gordichuk and came in on Mucha. A second Portland defender came at Gagnon, who deked around him, came into the slot and beat Mucha with a backhand shot five-hole for the first goal of the game. It was Gagnon's 25th goal of the year.

Portland (11-25-0-1) tied the game 1-1 on a power- play goal by Robert Klinkhammer at 11:16 of the second. Nick Hotson and Colton Sceviour had the assists on the goal.

Hotson scored a power-play goal at 12:10 of the second to give the Winter Hawks a 2-1 lead. Klinkhammer and Sceviour had the assists.

Seattle outshot Portland 10-6 in the second period and led 22-19 in total shots after two periods.

Bud Holloway tied the game 2-2 at 6:45 of the third period. Gagnon brought the puck out of the right corner and curled towards the slot. Gagnon backhanded the puck to Holloway at the left circle. Holloway one-timed the pass and beat Mucha high on the glove side for his 11th goal of the year. Defenseman Bretton Stamler had the other assist for Seattle.

Robertson and Scott hooked up at 10:22 of the third to give the T-Birds a 3-2 lead. Robertson had the puck along the left boards just above the circle. Scott cruised down the slot and Robertson hit him with a pass. Scott waited for Mucha to commit and then beat the Portland goalie high on the glove side for the go-ahead goal. Ian McKenzie had the second assist on the goal.

Hotson scored an unassisted goal at 14:54 of the third to tie the game 3-3.

Portland pulled Mucha for an extra attacker after the Robertson goal to try and tie the game. They did not register a shot with the extra attacker.

Seattle goalie Derek Yeomans improved his record to 13-7-1-7 by stopping 18 of 21 shots.

Mucha made 37 saves on 41 shots and his record falls to 11-19-0-1.

The T-Birds next game is Wednesday, January 3, against the Tri-City Americans in Kennewick at 7:05 p.m. The next home game at KeyArena is Saturday, January 6, against the Red Deer Rebels at 7:05 p.m.

Thunderbird tickets are currently on sale for all 2006- 07 regular season home games. Tickets are priced at $20, $16 & $12 Tickets may be purchased by calling 206-628-0888 or 206-448-PUCK (7825) or online at Seattle Thunderbirds Hockey. Tickets may also be purchased at all TicketMaster Outlets, the KeyArena West Box Office Monday - Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM and The Hockey Store located at 14326 124th Ave NE in Kirkland. For additional ticket information on Season Tickets and Group Rates please call 206- 448-PUCK.

Chiefs Acquire Lenoski

The Spokane Chiefs have acquired 20-year-old defenseman Stephane Lenoski and a sixth round bantam draft selection in 2007 in exchange for 18- year-old defenseman Matt McCue.

"Stephane has been Chilliwack's top defenseman all year. He is a player who is able to play in all situations and has a wealth of experience in the WHL," Chiefs General Manager Tim Speltz said. "We are very excited as this move improves our team."

Lenoski is in his fourth season in the WHL spending the previous three with the Brandon Wheat Kings. Lenoski was acquired by Chilliwack in the 2006 WHL Expansion draft. Through 35 games this season Lenoski has already set career highs with four goals and 20 points. In his last six games, the Winnipeg, Manitoba native has two goals, seven points and is a +4.

The acquisition of Lenoski gives Spokane four overage players, one over the maximum allowed by the WHL. The rights to defenseman Corey Courchene can be transferred to a WHL Team that does not have a full compliment of 20-year-olds.

McCue appeared in four games earlier this season and scored one goal and two points. The Cochrane, AB native played in 84 career games in Spokane with seven goals, 20 points and 164 penalty minutes.

Lenoski is expected to join the team this weekend when they play a home-and-home series with the Tri- City Americans. Saturday night, Spokane will host Tri-City at 7:00 and then the Chiefs will travel to Kennewick for their Annual New Year's Eve game on Sunday night.

Tickets for all home games are available by calling the Chiefs office at (509) 535-PUCK or TicketsWest at (800) 325-SEAT.

Ryan Sets Mark

Spokane Chief forward Derek Ryan set a franchise record on Thursday night with two goals in 16- seconds as a part of 6-2 win at Prince George. Ryan's effort bests the previous mark by two seconds, originally set by Travis Green nearly 18- years ago to the day, December 27th, 1988 at Saskatoon.

Ryan scored his 13th goal of the season, on the power play, at 16:28 of the first period to give the Chiefs a 3-0 lead. Michael Grabner and Drayson Bowman assisted on the goal. The Spokane native broke the record at 16:44 with his 14th of the season. Bowman and David Rutherford had the assists.

Ryan is third on the team in goals with 14 and second on the team in points with 31.

The Chiefs eventually skated to a 6-2 win over Prince George to sweep a two game series on back- to-back nights. Spokane will travel home for a date on Saturday versus the Tri-City Americans at 7:00. One fan will win a trip to the NHL All-Star Game in Dallas, Texas courtesy of Kokanee. Sunday night, the Chiefs will travel to play the Americans in their 17th Annual New Years Eve game.

Spokane and Tri-City are tied with the Seattle Thunderbirds with 42 points in second place in the US Division.

Tickets for all home games are available by calling the Chiefs office at (509) 535-PUCK or TicketsWest at (800) 325-SEAT.

Chiefs drop close one to Americans

For fifth time this year the Chiefs and Americans played to a one goal decision as Tri-City earned a 4- 3 win in a shootout in front of 8,324 fans in the Spokane Arena. The game was the first half of a home-and-home between the two as the Chiefs will travel to Kennewick to play on New Year's Eve for the 17th straight year Sunday night.

Despite the loss, the Chiefs earned a point in the shootout and sit one point behind Seattle, losers on Saturday in Everett, and Tri-City in second place.

Michael Grabner scored two goals on the night, his sixth and seventh in three games and 18th and 19th for the season, tying him for the team lead. His first tied the game after the Americans Erik Felde scored at 9:57 for a 1-0 lead. Grabner scored with a blistering slap shot from the right circle on the power play at 13:01. Stephane Lenoski, playing in his first game in a Spokane sweater after being acquired from the Chilliwack Bruins, and Derek Ryan assisted on the play. Grabner then gave Spokane a 2-1 lead at 16:50 with a wrister from the slot.

The Chiefs took a 3-1 lead at 2:17 of the second when Seth Compton followed up his own shot by poking it through the pads of Chet Pickard for his seventh of the year.

Tri-City's Colton Yellow Horn scored his eighth goal of the year versus Spokane at 8:18 of the second to pull within one and Taylor Procyshen tied it up 34- seconds into the third.

The Chiefs outshot Tri-City 38-25 on the night and gave the Americans only two power play opportunities. Tri-City scored on all three shootout chances while Spokane went 1-2.

Mike Boyle will go on the air at 6:30 on Sunday night with Comcast Hockey Tonight on KJRB 790 the Fan. The puck will drop at 7:00.

The Chiefs will begin a stretch of five straight home games next Friday night when they host the Everett Silvertips on NASCAR night presented by SuperCuts and Wired 96.9. Spokane will host Kootenay on Saturday night on Red Robin's Fantasy Hockey Night.

Tickets to all home games are available by calling the Chiefs office at (509) 535-PUCK or TicketsWest at (800) 325-SEAT.

Watt Signs With Flames

The Vancouver Giants congratulate forward J.D. Watt on signing his first National Hockey League contract with the Calgary Flames. As per club policy, terms of Watt's entry level contract were not released.

Into his fourth season with the Giants, Watt currently leads the team in goals (18), is 6th overall in team scoring (18g,12a), and 2nd in penalty minutes (107). Earlier this season, Watt was named to Team WHL to participate in the 2006 ADT Canada Russia Challenge.

"J.D. has gotten off to a great start this year and the Flames have realized they've got a great prospect in their system," says Giants General Manager Scott Bonner. "He's been a power presence for our hockey club the past few seasons and I know the Flames are excited to him a part of their future plans."

The native of Cremona, Alberta was drafted by the Flames in the fourth round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft (111th overall). In 163 career WHL games, Watt has 33 goals, 48 assists, and 519 penalty minutes.

Giants Weekly Recap

The Vancouver Giants have recorded back-to-back shut-outs and enter the New Year in a tie for top spot in the WHL's Western Conference.

Last Thursday, the Giants returned from the holiday break with a 4-3 shoot-out loss at home to the Kamloops Blazers. Milan Lucic netted his second hat-trick of the season as the Giants played their 12th game of the year that wasn't decided in regulation time.

On Saturday in their final home game of 2006, the Giants shut-out the Chilliwack Bruins 8-0. Spencer Machacek had three goals while rookie James Wright added two goals and two assists. Tyson Sexsmith made 20 saves for his 5th shut-out of the year.

Sunday night, the Giants wrapped up the calendar year with a 3-0 victory over the Bruins in Chilliwack. Lucic netted the natural hat-trick on a night which saw goalie Blaine Neufeld stop 17 shots in his first victory in a Giants uniform.

Milan Lucic capped off a huge month of December with nine goals and seven assists. He now leads the Giants in goals with 19. Tim Kraus, who now leads the Giants in scoring with 39 points, has scored points in his last eight straight games (2g,8a).

Now with a record of 27-5-3-4, the Giants remain in top spot in the WHL's B.C. Division and start 2007 tied with the Everett Silvertips for first place in the Western Conference.

The Giants are back on home ice Wednesday January 3 against the Moose Jaw Warriors (7:00pm). Then on Saturday January 6, the Giants are the road to take on the Kamloops Blazers (7:00pm). Vancouver will wrap up the weekend by hosting the Red Deer Rebels on Sunday January 7 (4:00pm).