Wheat Kings Rally to Secure First Win Against Giants, 4-3

The Brandon Wheat Kings achieved their first victory of the season by overcoming an early deficit to defeat the Vancouver Giants 4-3 in a thrilling Western Hockey League matchup on October 10, 2025. The game took place at Assiniboine Credit Union Place in Brandon, Manitoba, where the Wheat Kings battled back from a 2-0 hole to secure the win in front of 2,301 fans.

Brandon (1-4-1-0) received contributions from several players, including goals from Luke Mistelbacher, Nick Johnson, Chase Surkan, and Brady Turko. The Giants (2-6-0-0) had their goals scored by Aaron Obobaifo, Jakob Oreskovic, and Ryan Lin.

The game began on a challenging note for the Wheat Kings, as the Giants quickly took control. Just under eight minutes into the first period, Obobaifo capitalized on a turnover, maneuvered around the Brandon goalie Filip Ruzicka, and scored with a wrap-around shot, marking the sixth consecutive game this season in which the Wheat Kings’ opponent scored first. Shortly after, Oreskovic extended the lead to 2-0 with a tip-in from a shot by Lin.

Despite the early setbacks, the Wheat Kings responded vigorously. Rookie defenceman Cameron Allard initiated the comeback with a smart play that led to Mistelbacher’s goal, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Just before the end of the first period, Johnson equalized by shoveling in a rebound with only 52.7 seconds remaining, bringing the score to 2-2.

The momentum continued to swing in Brandon’s favor during the second period. A double minor penalty assessed to Obobaifo for slew-footing opened the door for the Wheat Kings’ power play. Surkan took advantage, scoring the go-ahead goal after a well-executed setup from Jacobson. Turko followed shortly after, netting his first goal of the season, which extended the lead to 4-2.

“I really like how we played,” Turko remarked after the game. “We were flying in the offensive zone and being good defensively. We played an all-around great game.”

However, the Giants were not done yet. With seven minutes left in regulation, Lin scored on a play that stemmed from a Wheat Kings defensive lapse, narrowing the score to 4-3. The final moments were tense as Vancouver pulled their goalie for an extra attacker, but Brandon held firm, securing the much-needed two points.

Wheat Kings head coach and general manager Marty Murray expressed relief after the win, stating, “Just to get that first one, guys will have some confidence.” He praised the team’s defensive effort, highlighting Ruzicka’s performance, where he made 18 saves, while Giants goaltender Burke Hood stopped 31 shots in his first WHL game in his hometown.

The Wheat Kings demonstrated a significant improvement in their overall play compared to previous games. They went 2-for-6 on the power play and limited the Giants to just 21 shots on goal.

Vancouver assistant coach Wacey Rabbit acknowledged the impact of penalties on the game, emphasizing the need for discipline as they wrapped up a challenging six-game road trip. “We want to play five-on-five — we think we’re a great five-on-five team,” he stated.

The Wheat Kings will look to build on this victory when they face the Swift Current Broncos on Sunday at 4 p.m. This win not only boosts the team’s confidence but also sets a promising tone for the rest of the season.