B2 ■ SPORTS THE BRANDON SUN ■ WEDNESDAY AUGUST 11 2021 TRY TO BEAT THAT!: THE 1978-79 An analysis: How the west was won

BY GREGG DRINNAN WHL PLAYOFFS This column originally ap- peared in the May 5, 1979 edi- SCORING LEADERS tion of the Brandon Sun. GP G A Pt PIM The Brandon Wheat Kings fi nished the Western Hockey League season in Portland with a victory on Thursday night. That win put them into the Memori al Cup three-team round-robin cham pionship tournament. And, incredible as it may sound, that win lifted Wheat Kings’ overall 1978-79 record — including regular season and playoff games — to 76 wins, nine losses and nine ties. That, in itself, tells you the Wheat Kings are the best team in the WHL. But, don’t kid yourself. Getting this far was not a breeze for the Brandon outfi t. Sure, Wheat Kings cruised Knickle who rose to the oc- through the regular season, all casion. Granted, he got a lot but wrapping up the Eastern of help from his defencemen, Division pennant shortly af- but he proved just who is the ter the fi rst faceoff. Then, they WHL’s No. 1 goaltender. zipped through that fi rst post- And then there were the season round-robin affair, be- coaches, Ken Hodge of Port- fore disposing of Saskatoon land and Brandon’s Dunc Mc- Blades in their fi rst best-of- Callum, the WHL’s coach-of- seven series. the-year. Some people had a few In my mind, McCallum won doubts when Wheat Kings this battle hands down. Wheat headed into the second round- Kings went into the fi fth game robin series, with Lethbridge desperately needing a win. Broncos and Portland Winter The series was deadlocked at Hawks. But, most of those peo- two and Brandon was going to ple just wanted to be able to have to play without Coulson, say ‘I told you so’ if the Wheat Stewart and forward Kelly Mc- Kings were sidelined. Crimmon. McCallum, though, They weren’t, of course, and did a masterful job of coach- the WHL’s two best clubs — ing. His juggling act was in- Brandon and Portland — lined credible to watch as practically up opposite each other for the every possible line combina- best-of-seven fi nal. tion was used. Everyone knows by now that And, McCallum obviously Brandon’s 6-3 win on Thursday did a much better job of mo- night gave Wheat Kings the se- tivating his players than did ries, four games to two, over Hodge. It was McCallum who the Winter Hawks. talked with Knickle, who had It was not, by any stretch of a shaky fourth game, prior the imagination, an easy series to Game Five and helped the win for the Wheat Kings. To a goaltender turn it around. player they sang the praises of Hodge never did do much to the Winter Hawks. No one tried shake up his club. At the end of to bury the Portland club. the sixth and fi nal game he was The greatest margin of vic- still using basically the same tory for either club was three combinations that started the goals. In case you’ve forgotten series. how the series went, it was like These were all factors in de- this: Portland won the opener ciding the outcome. But the 4-2 in Brandon; the Wheat biggest difference was the guys Kings then scored 3-1 and 6-5 in the trenches. Wheat Kings victories on home ice; the Win- got solid, consistent efforts out ter Hawks won 5-2 in the fi rst Brad McCrimmon hoists the WHL championship trophy into the air after the Brandon Wheat Kings returned to the of guys like Don Gillen, Brant game in Portland; and Bran- Keystone one day after winning the title in Portland on May 3, 1979. (Brandon Sun fi le photo) Kiessig, Steve Patrick. Dave don then wrapped it up with McDonald, Brad Kempthorne, two wins — 4-3 in overtime — Winter Hawks didn’t. In other his career in the six-game affair bothered him, but he was vir- tending, featuring Portland’s Dave Chartier and Darren Gus- and 6-3 in that Oregon city. words, Brandon’s experienced with Portland. Defencemen tually ineffective throughout. 19-year-old Bart Hunter ver- dal. These are the players who These were two pretty evenly 19-year-olds, for the most part, Wes Coulson, before being in- There’s little doubt but that sus 18-year-old Rick Knickle of were doing most of the hit- matched clubs, though. And, came through. jured, and Tim Lockridge were Turnbull’s lack of performance Brandon. One playing for his ting, and the bodywork took as Brandon’s Ray Allison put it, Brandon’s Brad McCam- as solid as anyone. And, the list had a negative effect on the re- future, the other trying to play its toll on the Portland club. As “I would not have put money mon showed beyond a ben- goes on and on. mainder of the club. All season well enough to earn the start in the series progressed, Wheat on either club to win it.” efi t of a doubt that he, and not From a Portland standpoint, long he was the No. 1 man, he the next game. Kings seemed to be getting a What, then, what turned the Portland’s Keith Brown, is the the biggest disappointment of was the guy they turned to for When the series started it bit more room to operate and Wheat Kings into champions best defenceman in the WHL. the series had to be the per- the big goals when they needed belonged to Hunter. He simply that certainly didn’t hurt their and the Winter Hawks into Rightwinger Ray Allison of formance of leftwinger Perry them. In this series, though, stoned the Wheat Kings. With- game of skating and moving bridesmaids? the Wheat Kings emerged as a Turnbull, who was named the when the Winter Hawks turned out Hunter, the Winter Hawks the puck. Some players did not The way I saw it, the ma- strong leader, both on and off WHL’s most valuable player on to Turnbull, he was usually could well have been out of see all that much ice time but jor difference was in leader- the ice. Centre Dave Stewart Monday. We’ll likely never know skating to the bench. this affair in four or fi ve games. when they were called upon ship — Wheat Kings had it and played likely the best hockey of just how much an ankle injury Then there was the - In the end, though, it was they got the job done. ON THE ICE

LEAGUE FINAL There was bad news on the injury Shots on net: 42-33 BWK. difference. We outplayed them at ev- I made sure to keep the puck with front as right winger Kelly McCrim- Attendance: 5,191, in Brandon. ery position but goal. We some me and I skated as hard as I could. PORTLAND 4, BRANDON 2 mon cracked the same bone in his Series: 2-1 BWK. pucks right at him, but he made a lot I saw (Hunter) leaning to his glove right arm that cost him 13 games Dunc McCallum: “After we got up of great saves. For 10 minutes of the side and I shot it on the ice. I think it Game 1, April 27, 1979 mid-season. 4-0 we quit hitting and we quit second period, we played likely the went through his legs. I haven’t skat- Recap: Brad McCrimmon gave Bran- BWK goals: Stewart, Propp, Chartier. dumping the puck in. Everyone best hockey we’ve played this year ed that fast for years. I really wanted don the lead 3:41 into the game, but BWK goalie: Knickle. started trying to get fancy. We’ve … and we didn’t get a sniff. But we’ll to win this one for the fans in Bran- Portland scored twice in the second Shots on net: 42-34 Port. done that quite often this year … we win. We’ll beat those guys. My guys don.” period. tied it 3:39 into Attendance: 4,557, in Brandon. get up on a team and the guys start certainly aren’t down. They’re higher the third period but Jim Dobson’s Series: 1-1. thinking they’ll get 10 or 15. It’s a than kites. And, Portland has to fi g- BRANDON 6, PORTLAND 3 second goal of the game 82 seconds Dunc McCallum: “The difference shame that that happens. You work ure they were lucky to win.” Game 6, May 3, 1979 later proved to be the winner. If was our skating … and when we for everything you get against that Recap: Portland’s Dave Babych gave Brandon wins Game 2, Game 3 will skate and move the puck. And it was Portland club. Then, you let up for a BRANDON 4, PORTLAND 3 (OT) his team a 3-1 lead 42 seconds into be played on April 29 in Brandon. nice to see my goaltender play up to couple of shifts and you’re right back Game 5, May 2, 1979 the third period but the tide changed If Portland wins Game 2, the series his capabilities. In fact, that’s also at Square 1. It’s obvious that nothing Recap: Rick Knickle is apparently a 16 seconds later when Portland de- picks up in Oregon on April 30. the best I’ve seen Hunter play.” in this series is going to be given to believer that turnabout is fair play. fenceman Blake Wesley high-sticked BWK goals: Brad McCrimmon, you.” The Brandon goalie was sensation- Ray Allison in the face, drawing a Propp. BRANDON 6, PORTLAND 5 al in stopping 52 shots, including major . Allison scored 37 BWK goalie: Knickle. Game 3, April 29, 1979 PORTLAND 5, BRANDON 2 fi ve in overtime, and Don Gillen’s seconds later for Brandon, and that Shots on net: 38-38. Recap: Brandon defenceman Tim Game 4, May 1, 1979 second goal of the game came on opened the fl oodgates, with Propp Attendance: 4,775, in Brandon. Lockridge scored with a second re- Recap: Winter Hawks goalie Bart a breakaway 4:28 into extra time as contributing his second goal of the Series: 1-0 Port. maining in the opening frame to put Hunter was simply spectacular, the Wheat Kings regained the se- game 11 seconds later and Brad Mc- Dunc McCallum: “They had chances the Wheat Kings up 2-0, and they stopping 49 shots as Portland knot- ries lead. It was almost the exact Crimmon scoring what proved to be and we had chances. The difference held a 4-0 lead 14:10 in the second ted the series 2-2. Brandon didn’t opposite of Game 4 when Portland the winning goal 3:43 into the fi nal was that they scored on theirs. And, period. The Winter Hawks fi nally hit score until the third period when goalie Bart Hunter stole the show. frame. and Brant as far as we’re concerned, two goals the scoreboard 47 seconds later and newcomer Greg Mann, playing in Ray Allison’s goal late in the second Kiessig added insurance markers. in our own building is not enough.” again two minutes after that, and the place of the injured Wes Coulson, period gave Brandon a 3-2 lead, but The championship was Brandon’s

BRANDON 3, PORTLAND 1 pressure mounted when they scored found the net 3:25 into the third Florent Robidoux tied the game for fi rst in the WHL since it joined the early in the third period to make it period with his team trailing 3-0. Portland with less than fi ve minutes league for the 1967-68 season. The Game 2, April 28, 1979 4-3. After the teams traded goals, Wheat Kings forward Dave Stewart remaining in the third period. Bran- Wheat Kings would arrive back in Recap: In a must-win game for the Dave McDonald’s marker stood up — who coach Dunc McCallum said don played without Wes Coulson Brandon the next day around 5 p.m., hosts, Dave Stewart scored 15 min- as the winner, with Portland snip- “has been my best player,” suffered (shoulder), Kelly McCrimmon (bro- and then catch a fl ight to Montreal utes into the opening frame. Referee ing again with a second remaining. a charley horse and his status for ken arm, gone for season) and Dave on May 5 or 6. Ian Sandercock then handed mis- Brandon would head to Portland the Game 5 was unknown. Meanwhile, McDonald (charley horse). BWK goals: Propp (2), Allison, Brad conducts to Wheat Kings forwards next morning, and was to take Bran- Portland forward Perry Turnbull was BWK goals: Gillen (2), Kiessig, Alli- McCrimmon, Boschman, Kiessig. Steve Patrick and Brant Kiessig for don Travellers defenceman Greg playing with a sore ankle and didn’t son. BWK goalie: Knickle. what he considered to be attempts Mann with them in case Wes Coul- take a regular shift. BWK goalie: Knickle. Shots on net: 39-33 BWK to intimidate Portland goalie Bart son’s shoulder, which he injured in BWK goals: Mann, McDonald. Shots on net: 55-37 Port. Attendance: 7,569, in Portland. Hunter as they celebrated. Ed Coo- the second period, wouldn’t allow BWK goalie: Olson. Attendance: 6,677, in Portland. Series: 4-2 BWK. per tied the game for Portland in the him to play. Shots on net: 51-35 BWK. Series: 3-2 BWK. Dunc McCallum: “The guts on this middle frame, but Brian Propp and BWK goals: Gillen, Lockridge, Propp, Attendance: 7,818, in Portland. Don Gillen: “I might have been off- team, you just wouldn’t believe it. We Dave Chartier replied in the third Allison, Kiessig, McDonald. Series: 2-2. side at centre ice if I hadn’t made had injuries all year, and every time period to make Brandon winners. BWK goalie: Knickle. Dunc McCallum: “Hunter was the a bit of a cut. But once I got there, someone else kept stepping in.”