Nicol Brothers Shine as Wheat Kings Dominate U18 AAA Hockey

The Wheat Kings showcased a commanding performance over the weekend, defeating the Central Plains Capitals with a decisive score of 7-0 in the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League. This victory solidified their position in fourth place with a record of 19-6-0-1. Notably, Kale Nicol, a 13-year-old call-up, made a memorable debut by scoring a goal assisted by his older brother, Reid Nicol.

The game took place at J&G Homes Arena, where the Wheat Kings dominated from the start. Hudson Champagne contributed significantly, netting two goals, while Crew Elder, Max Dawson, and Hunter Ethelston each added to the scoreline. Goalkeeper Cooper Dryden achieved a shutout, making 22 saves, while Riley Foster of the Capitals faced a staggering 39 shots.

The Wheat Kings have a busy week ahead, with four games scheduled. They will host the Winnipeg Thrashers on January 3, 2024, before travelling to face the Parkland Rangers on January 5 and the Southwest Cougars on January 6. Their busy week wraps up with a rematch against the Cougars at Souris/Glenwood Memorial Complex on January 7.

Southwest Cougars Thrill with High-Scoring Weekend

The Southwest Cougars, currently in fifth place with a record of 17-7-1-2, had an exhilarating weekend, playing against the Kenora Thistles, who sit at the bottom of the standings with a dismal 1-24-0-1 record. The Cougars triumphed in both encounters, winning 6-0 on Saturday and following up with a 9-5 victory on Sunday.

In the Sunday matchup, Shane Elder recorded a hat trick, while Jack Polasek contributed with two goals and four assists. The Cougars surged to a 4-0 lead before Kenora made a late comeback attempt. Brady Shields stood strong in goal, making 22 saves.

On Saturday, Elder once again shone, scoring twice alongside contributions from Riley Fluker, Gavin Anderson, Eric Berger, and Jake Beaty. Nate Brown earned the shutout with 26 saves, showcasing the Cougars’ offensive prowess.

Yellowhead Chiefs Encounter Mixed Results

The Yellowhead Chiefs, now positioned ninth with a record of 13-15-0-0, faced a challenging week, including a road trip to play the Central Plains Capitals and home games against the Norman Northstars and the first-place Winnipeg Wild.

In a tightly contested game on Sunday, Nolan Kozak managed to tie the score early, but a goal from Anthony Bedard of the Wild proved decisive as the Chiefs fell 3-1. Earlier in the weekend, however, the Chiefs had an impressive performance, defeating the Northstars 7-2. Kozak, alongside Grady McNish and Ethan Turchinski, each scored twice, securing a much-needed victory.

The Chiefs’ week began with a close call against the Capitals, where despite a hat trick from Alec Strachan, they lost 7-6. The Chiefs are set to complete the first half of their season with a tough road trip, facing the Winnipeg Bruins and Winnipeg Wild before returning home.

Parkland Rangers Make Strides in Standings

The Parkland Rangers, sitting in eighth place with a record of 13-8-4-0, had a productive week that included a match against the Winnipeg Wild. On Sunday, they secured an impressive 8-3 victory, with multiple players contributing to the score, including Alex Campbell, who scored twice.

Earlier in the weekend, the Rangers faced a tougher matchup against the Wild, managing to force overtime after tying the game late. Noah Smigelsky scored the deciding goal in a shootout, sealing a 3-2 win.

The Rangers are set to host the Wheat Kings on January 3 before heading to Kenora for games against the Thistles over the weekend.

This past week in the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League brought excitement and competition as teams prepared for the second half of the season, showcasing emerging talents and established players alike. As the league progresses, the intensity and rivalry among teams are expected to escalate, making for an engaging remainder of the season.