Tuesday's WHL Playoff Roundup

GIANTS 4, BRUINS 3

Craig Cunningham scored with just 47 seconds remaining in a third overtime period to lift the visiting Vancouver Giants to a 4-3 victory over the Chilliwack Bruins in Game 3 of their Kal tire Western Conference quarter-final series on Tuesday, March 25th.

Jonathon Blum – with a goal and an assist – James Wright and Michal Repik also scored for the Giants, who let a 3-1 lead slip away in the third period only to claim the victory in overtime, while Casey Pierro-Zabotel chipped in three assists. Tyson Sexsmith turned aside 49 of 52 shots he faced to record his 17th career playoff victory. The win gives the Giants a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Brandon Campos scored twice and Nick Holden added a goal and an assist for the Bruins, who went 1-for-6 with the man advantage in the contest. Mark Friesen turned in a valiant 61-save performance in a losing cause. The defeat leaves the Bruins down 0-3 in the series, and one loss away from elimination.

Best-of-seven Series: Vancouver Giants lead Chilliwack Bruins 3-0

AMERICANS 4, BLAZERS 3

Jason Reese scored the go-ahead goal with under three minutes remaining in regulation as the visiting Tri-City Americans erased a 3-1 deficit to claim a 4-3 victory over the Kamloops Blazers in Game 3 of their Kal Tire Western Conference quarter-final series on Tuesday.

Eric Mestery, Adam Hughesman and Blair Macauley also scored for the Americans, who were held scoreless on six power play chances in the game. Chet Pickard made 33 saves to claim his third victory of the post-season. The win leaves the Ams up 3-0 in the best-of-seven series.

Scott Wasden – with two goals – and Tyler Shattock scored for the Blazers, who gave up three third-period goals in the defeat. Justin Leclerc made 30 saves in the defeat. The loss leaves the Blazers down 0-3 in the series and on the verge of elimination.

Best-of-seven Series: Tri-City Americans lead Kamloops Blazers 3-0 



THUNDERBIRDS 6, ROCKETS 4

Bud Holloway and Thomas Hickey each scored once and added an assist as the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds skated to a 6-4 victory over the Kelowna Rockets in Game 4 of their Kal Tire Western Conference quarter-final series on Tuesday night.

David Richard, Jan Eberle, Greg Scott and Lindsay Nielsen also scored for the Thunderbirds, who rebounded from an early 2-0 deficit to claim the victory, while Ian McKenzie chipped in three helpers. Riku Helenius stopped 19 of 21 shots he faced through just over 55 minutes of action to post his first career playoff win after replacing Jacob DeSerres early in the first period. With the victory, the T-Birds even up the best-of-seven series at 2-2.

Colin Long – with a goal and two assists – Brady Leavold, Jamie Benn and Kyle St. Denis scored for the Rockets, who went 1-for-8 on the power play in the contest. Kristofer Westblom made 16 saves in a losing cause. With the defeat, the Rockets lose their lead in the series.

Best-of-seven Series: Series tied 2-2 



HITMEN 8, WARRIORS 3

Brock Nixon scored twice and set up two more as the visiting Calgary Hitmen potted five power play goals en route to an 8-3 victory over the Moose Jaw Warriors in Game 3 of their MNP Eastern Conference quarter-final series on Tuesday.

Paul Postma, Brandon Kozun, Karl Alzner and Kyle Bortis each tallied a goal and an assist while Ian Schultz and Matt Mackenzie also scored for the Hitmen, who outshot the hosts 37-24 in the contest. T.J. Galiardi chipped in three assists. Dan Spence turned aside 21 shots to record his 11th career playoff win. The victory gives the Hitmen a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Riley Holzapfel and Jason Bast each tallied a goal and two assists while Frazer McLaren also scored for the Warriors, who held a 2-1 lead after the first period. Joey Perricone made 29 saves in the loss. With the defeat, the Warriors trail the series 1-2.

Best-of-seven Series: Calgary Hitmen lead Moose Jaw Warriors 2-1


PATS 4, BRONCOS 3 O/T

J.D. Watt scored on a power play 7:57 into overtime to lift the visiting Regina Pats to a 4-3 victory over the Swift Current Broncos in Game 3 of their MNP Eastern Conference quarter-final series on Tuesday.

Scott Doucet, Kirt Hill and Tim Kraus also scored for the Pats, who converted two of eight power play opportunities in the contest. Linden Rowat turned in a 40-save effort to record the victory. With the win, the Pats claim a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Keegan Dansereau – with a goal and an assist – Eric Doyle and David Stieler scored for the Broncos, who were outshot 46-43 by the Pats, while Levi Nelson added two assists. Travis Yonkman made 42 saves in the defeat. With the loss, the Broncos find themselves down 1-2 in the series.

Best-of-seven Series: Regina Pats lead Swift Current Broncos 2-1



HURRICANES 4, WHEAT KINGS 3

Mitch Fadden scored twice, including the game-winner, to lead the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes to a 4-3 victory over the Brandon Wheat Kings in Game 3 of their MNP Eastern Conference quarter-final series on Tuesday.

Zach Boychuk – with a goal and two assists – and Nicholas Hotson also scored for the Hurricanes, who were outshot 34-20 by the hosts, while Colton Sceviour chipped in three assists. Juha Metsola made 31 saves to claim the victory. With the win, the Hurricanes take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Jay Fehr, Brayden Schenn and Daniel Bartek scored for the Wheat Kings, who were 1-for-7 on the power play. Joe Caligiuri made 16 saves in the loss. With the defeat, the Wheat Kings find themselves down 0-3 in the series and one defeat away from elimination.

Best-of-seven Series: Lethbridge Hurricanes lead Brandon Wheat Kings 3-0



ICE 2, TIGERS 1

Kris Lazaruk turned aside 37 of 38 shots he faced to backstop the Kootenay Ice to a 2-1 victory over the visiting Medicine Hat Tigers in Game 3 of their MNP Eastern Conference quarter-final series on Tuesday.

Matt Fraser and Chad Greenan scored for the Ice, who went 1-for-6 with the man advantage in the contest. With the victory, the Ice take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Mikael Ahlen scored the only goal for the Tigers, who were scoreless on seven power play chances in the contest. Ryan Holfeld made 35 saves in a losing cause. The loss leaves the defending WHL Champs down 0-3 in the series and on the verge of elimination.

Best-of-seven Series: Kootenay Ice lead Medicine Hat Tigers 3-0