Wednesday’s WHL Round-up
BLAZERS TOPPLE GIANTS – Justin Leclerc turned in a 58-save performance to backstop the Kamloops Blazers to a 3-1 victory over the visiting Vancouver Giants in Western Hockey League action on Wednesday, March 11th.
Shayne Wiebe scored twice – his 30th and 31st goals of the season – and Tyler Shattock notched a goal and an assist for the Blazers (33-31-2-4), who were outshot 59-16 by the visiting Giants but still managed their fifth win in their last six games. The victory keeps the Blazers one point ahead of Seattle for fifth place in the Western Conference.
Evander Kane – with his 46th goal of the season – scored the lone goal for the Giants (56-9-2-3), who have dropped three of their last four games and remain one point behind Calgary for first place overall in the WHL standings. Tyson Sexsmith made 16 saves in a losing cause.
RAIDERS 6, PATS 5
Justin Bernhardt scored the winner and set up three others as the Prince Albert Raiders rallied from 4-1 and 5-2 deficits to post a 6-5 victory over the visiting Regina Pats on Wednesday.
Jordan Rowley notched a goal and two assists while Nathan Deck, James Dobrowolski, Ryan McDonald and Michael MacAngus also scored for the Raiders (30-35-4-1), who trailed 5-2 early in the second period but rallied for four unanswered goals to post the win. Garrett Zemlak made 31 saves through 48 minutes of play to record the win after replacing starter Steven Stanford. The win keeps the Raiders two points back of Edmonton for eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
Jordan Eberle scored three goals while Garrett Mitchell and Brett Leffler also counted for the Pats (27-37-1-5), who are officially eliminated from playoff contention with the defeat. Damien Ketlo and Linden Rowat combined for 27 saves in the loss.
OIL KINGS 4, ICE 2
Jeff Lee and Brandon Lockerby each tallied a goal and an assist to lead the Edmonton Oil Kings to a 4-2 victory over the visiting Kootenay Ice on Wednesday.
Craig McCallum and Tyler Hlookoff also scored for the Oil Kings (29-32-4-5), who earn their second straight victory and remain two points ahead of Prince Albert for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Torrie Jung turned aside 36 of 38 shots he faced to record the win.
Drew Czerwonka – with his 15th and 16th goals of the season – scored both markers for the Ice (34-28-2-6), who see a three-game winning streak come to an end. Todd Mathews made 26 saves through 51 minutes of action to take the loss while Scott Orth made four saves in relief of Mathews.
BRONCOS 4, WHEAT KINGS 2
Keegan Dansereau scored once and chipped in an assist to lead the visiting Swift Current Broncos to a 4-2 victory over the Brandon Wheat Kings on Wednesday.
Geordie Wudrick, Michael Stickland and Taylor Vause also scored for the Broncos (40-28-1-1), who hit the 40-win mark for the second straight season while clinching fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Travis Yonkman turned in a 35-save performance to claim his 26th win of the season and 70th of his WHL career.
Cale Jeffries and Matt Calvert scored for the Wheat Kings (46-19-3-2), who trailed 3-0 after two periods en route to their third loss in their last four home games. Andrew Hayes made 20 saves in the loss.
ROCKETS 6, WINTER HAWKS 2
Mikael Backlund scored twice and set up another to lift the Kelowna Rockets to a 6-2 win over the visiting Portland Winter Hawks on Wednesday.
Cody Almond and Tyson Barrie each notched a goal and an assist and Jamie Benn and Lucas Bloodoff also scored for the Rockets (44-21-1-3), who stretch their winning streak to five games and remain one point ahead of Spokane for third place in the Western Conference. Mark Guggenberger made 25 saves in the victory.
Brad Ross and Chris Francis – with his 20th of the season – scored for the Winter Hawks (18-47-2-2), who were outshot 51-27 by the host Rockets. Keith Hamilton made 45 saves in the defeat.
CHIEFS 7, SILVERTIPS 2
Brady Calla scored twice versus his former team and Drayson Bowman notched a goal and three assists as the Spokane Chiefs defeated the visiting Everett Silvertips 7-2 on Wednesday.
Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Roman each picked up a goal and an assist and Dustin Donaghy and Levko Koper also counted for the Chiefs (44-22-0-3), who win their second straight contest. Dustin Tokarski made 35 saves to record the victory.
Mike Alexander and Dan Iwanski scored for the Silvertips (26-34-7-2), who allowed the game’s first seven goals en route to dropping their third straight decision. Thomas Heemskerk and Kent Simpson combined for 17 saves in a losing effort.
THUNDERBIRDS 5, COUGARS 2
Greg Scott scored two goals and Jim O’Brien notched a goal and two assists to lead the Seattle Thunderbirds to a 5-2 victory over the visiting Prince George Cougars on Wednesday.
Chris Cloud and Charles Wells also scored for the Thunderbirds (33-31-1-4), who win their second straight contest but remain one point behind Kamloops for fifth place in the Western Conference. Calvin Pickard made 27 saves in the victory.
Tyler Halliday and Parker Stanfield each tallied a goal and an assist for the Cougars (25-42-0-2), who drop their second straight decision. Joe Caligiuri made 30 saves in the loss.
—————————————————-
Photos courtesy of WHL Club Photographers Dylan Lynch, Gary Peterson and Mick White
