Winnipeg Wild Go 1-1 On Final Weekend Of The Regular Season

The Winnipeg Wild split games 43 and 44 of the regular season to finish off the regular season. The Wild began their weekend with huge 10-2 win over the Winnipeg Thrashers on Saturday, but fell to the number one Brandon Wheat Kings on Sunday 5-1.

The Wild played game 43 on the road against the Winnipeg Thrashers at Gateway Recreation Centre. The first period would not have been the start the Wild would have wanted, with the Thrashers scoring two goals inside the first four minutes of the frame. A rough second half of the period from the Thrashers in the penalty department saw the momentum swing completely in the Wild’s favour. They would rattle off four goals, three of them on the power play, all in the final minutes of the period to lead 4-2 after 20 minutes. The second period was more of the same with the Wild finding the back of the net five times and lead 9-2 through 40 minutes. A late lone goal from Branden Watson put the Wild into double digits on the afternoon saw the Wild win this one 10-2. The Wild converted on five of their six power play opportunities and Jacob Armstrong stopping 31 of 33 in the win.

Following the 10-2 win, the Wild were hoping they could take that momentum into the game the final game of the regular season against the Brandon Wheat Kings on the road. The Wheat Kings did open up the scoring just over four minutes into the game, but the Wild were able to answer back two minutes later on the power play from Jonah Vanderhorst. Seven minutes later though, the Wheat Kings found the back of the net once more to take their lead back, and holding it into the break. Then just 33 seconds into the second period, Brandon was able to extend their lead to two, to make it 3-1. The score line would stay that way heading into the final 20 minutes. Unfortunately, the Wild were not able to muster up a comeback, with the Wheat Kings even adding to their total on the afternoon two more times, where the final score was 5-1.

After all the results of the final weekend were tallied up, the Winnipeg Wild sit in third place, tied on points with the Southwest Cougars. The tiebreaker went to the Cougars, therefore the Wild will play the six seeded Interlake Lightning in the first round of the playoffs. Puck drop for game number one goes at 7:15 March 1st at the Hockey For All Centre.