Brandon, Manitoba - The Wheat Kings and their fans welcomed veterans Brayden Schenn and Matt Calvert to Brandon Friday night but the visiting Red Deer Rebels spoiled the party with a 6-3 victory at Westman Place.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the first overall selection in the 2008 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft, scored three times to pace the winners while former Wheat King Nathan Green added a goal and two assists.
Scott Glennie, Jordan Hale and Jay Fehr replied for the Wheat Kings, who saw their modest 3-game win streak come to an end before over 4,500 fans.
Jordie Deagle and Willie Coetzee also scored for the Rebels, who outshot Brandon 40-23. Brandon netminder Andrew Hayes turned aside 34 shots in the loss. As well, he saw his consecutive shutout streak snapped at the four minute mark of the opening period. The 19-year old Sherwood Park, Alberta product entered the game having recorded three straight shutouts in backstopping Brandon to three consecutive wins.
The 3-2-0 Wheat Kings will return to the ice Saturday night when they play host to the defending Eastern Division pennant winning Saskatoon Blades.
Puck drop is at 7:30 and tickets are on sale at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling 726-3555 or online at ticketmaster.ca

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