WHL roundup: Blazers beat T-Birds 3-2 in West’s clash of powers
By The Canadian Press on March 7, 2023.
SEATTLE – Two of the best junior hockey teams in the country, both focused on winning the Memorial Cup in June, had to settle their differences in a shootout Tuesday night after three full periods and one five-minute overtime failed to produce a winner. The Seattle Thunderbirds, listed No. 1 in this week’s Canadian Hockey League’s top 10 rankings, entered the Western Hockey League clash of powers riding a 13-game winning streak and 12 points ahead of the second-place Kamloops Blazers in the Western Conference standings. The Blazers, who will be in the May 26-June 4 Memorial Cup as host team, were 9-1 in their past 10 games and listed No. 8 by the CHL in this week’s rankings. On Tuesday, shootout goals by Caedan Bankier and Matthew Seminoff gave the Blazers a 3-2 victory in what could be a playoff preview done the road. Connor Levis and Logan Stankoven had given the Blazers a 2-0 lead, but two second-period goals by Jared Davidson four minutes apart tied the game at 2-2. The Blazers (41-11-4-2) outshot the T-Birds 41-36 and went 0-for-5 on the power play. The Thunderbirds (48-9-1-2) were 0-for-2 on the power play. Dylan Ernst stopped 34 of 36 shots for the Blazers over 65 minutes, while Thomas Milic stopped 39 of 41 shots. Elsewhere in the WHL: — ICE 3 TIGERS 1 WINNIPEG, Man. – Matthew Savoie had a goal and assist as the Winnipeg ICE edged the visiting Medicine Hat Tigers 3-1. Zach Benson and Conor Geekie also scored for the ICE (50-9-1-0), who were outshot 28-27 at Wayne Fleming Arena. Shane Smith scored for the Tigers (26-25-8-1). — WHEAT KINGS 4 RAIDERS 3 PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. – Nolan Ritchie’s goal at 15:33 of the second period proved to be the winner as the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings knocked off the Prince Albert Raiders 4-3. Calder Anderson, Ben Thornton and Dawson Pasternak also scored for the Wheat Kings (24-28-8-0), who were outshot 33-26. Ryder Ritchie, Keaton Sorensen and Sloan Stanick scored for the Raiders (25-32-3-0). * This roundup was generated automatically with a CP-developed application. This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 7, 2023. 21-20
