In the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League this afternoon, Brandon Wheat Kings were 7-2 winners over Central Plains Capitals, at the BDO Centre in Portage la Prairie.

The teams traded goals in the first period, and headed to the dressing rooms knotted at 1.

In the second, Brandon scored three times to Central Plains' one, and it was 5-2, after two.

The final frame saw Brandon score three, including an empty-netter.

Gabe Odowichuk and Zak Smith got the Caps' goals. Riley Sveistrup faced 30 shots in the Caps' goal.

Caps' coach Brad Gnidziejko says it didn't seem like a 7-2 game.

Brad Gnidziejko

"Right out of the chute, we had good things going. We had good zone time. I mean, 75% of the first period was played in their end, and we just couldn't score. We ran into a hot goalie. Any time we got momentum, we weren't able to score, and it stalled from there. Same thing in the second -- no matter what we did, we just couldn't get anything out of it. And eventually, that wears you down."

Gnidziejko's not concerned the Wheat Kings gained ground on the Caps in the standings.

"As far as the season goes, I think there are enough good things for us to hang our hats on that we're pretty happy with the way things are. And we've got another 28 more games to go, so the snapshot of the first part of the season I think is a pretty good one."

With the win, Brandon moves to within a point of the second place Capitals in the standings, with a game in hand.

The game stats are here.

Next up for the Caps is a trip to Dauphin tomorrow afternoon, where Parkland Rangers will be waiting. That game starts at 2 o'clock.

Here are pictures from the game.