WHL roundup: Wightman helps Rockets scratch past Cougars 5-4
By The Canadian Press on October 13, 2023.
KELOWNA, B.C. – Dylan Wightman’s second goal of the night, a short-handed marker at 4:49 of the third period, proved to be the winner as the Kelowna Rockets edged the visiting Prince George Cougars 5-4 in Western Hockey League action on Friday night. Gabriel Szturc, Caden Price and Andrew Cristall also scored for the Rockets (3-3-1-0). Zac Funk scored twice for the Cougars (7-3-0-0), while Carlin Dezainde and Koehn Ziemmer netted singles. The Cougars outshot the Rockets 39-25, but netminder Jari Kykkanen was brilliant in the Rockets’ net. Elsewhere in the WHL: — PATS 4 REBELS 3 (SO) REGINA, Sask. – Tanner Howe’s second goal of the night, a short-handed effort 13 minutes into the third period, tied the game at 3-3 and then the Regina Pats won in a four-round shootout to post a 4-3 victory over the visiting Red Deer Rebels. Braxton Whitehead also scored in regulation time for the Pats (5-3-1-0), who trailed 3-1 with 10 minutes left in the third period. Samuel Drancak scored twice for the Rebels (2-3-0-1), while Mats Lindren added a single. — BRONCOS 6 GIANTS 3 LANGLEY, B.C. – Ty Coupland scored twice in a five-goal second period outburst as the visiting Swift Current Broncos kicked the Vancouver Giants 6-3 at Langley Events Centre. Connor Hvidston, Josh Filmon, Tyson Laventure and Matthew Ward also scored for the Broncos (3-4-1-0). Tyler Thorpe scored all three goals for the Giants (2-3-0-0). — WHEAT KINGS 5 AMERICANS 2 KENNEWICK, Wash. – The Brandon Wheat Kings spotted the host Tri-City Americans a 2-0 lead before storming back with five straight goals to record a 5-2 victory. Jayden Wiens, Dominik Petr, Caleb Hadland, Roger McQueen and Evan Groening scored for the Wheat Kings (5-3-1-0). Lukas Dragicevic and Deagan McMillan scored for the Americans (3-2-0-0). — WINTERHAWKS 4 BLAZERS 1 PORTLAND, Ore. – James Stefan scored a goal and added an assist as the Portland Winterhawks beat the visiting Kamloops Blazers 4-1. Hudson Darby, Josh Zakreski and Diego Buttazzoni also scored for the Winterhawks (5-1-0-0). Nathan Behm scored for the Blazers (1-4-2-0). — WARRIORS 4 HURRICANES 3 MOOSE JAW, Sask. – Martin Rysavy had a goal and an assist as the Moose Jaw Warriors edged the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes 4-3. Jagger Firkus, Brayden Yager and Ethan Semeniuk also scored for the Warriors (6-3-0-0). Miguel Marques, Trae Wilke and Noah Chadwick scored for the Hurricanes (5-3-1-0). — RAIDERS 7 HITMEN 2 PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. – Aiden Oiring had two goals and an assist as the Prince Albert Raiders rolled over the visiting Calgary Hitmen 7-2. Niall Crocker, Krzysztof Macias, Hayden Pakkala, Terrell Goldsmith and Matej Kubiesa also scored for the Raiders (5-3-0-0). Oliver Tulk and Carter Yakemchuk scored for the Hitmen (2-6-0-0). — SILVERTIPS 8 ROYALS 1 VICTORIA, B.C. – Ben Hemmerling scored three goals as the visiting Everett Silvertips rolled over the Victoria Royals 8-1. Cade Zaplitny, Dominik Rymon, Rylan Pearce, Eric Jamieson and Jesse Heslop all scored once for the Silvertips (4-3-0-0). Dawson Pasternak scored for the Royals (2-5-0-0). — THUNDERBIRDS 4 WILD 2 SEATTLE, Wash. – Jeremy Hanzel scored a goal and added two assists as the Seattle Thunderbirds edged the visiting Wenatchee Wild 4-2. Gracyn Sawchyn, Sam Popowich and Luca Hauf also scored for the Thunderbirds (3-1-0-0). Briley Wood and Steven Arp scored for the Wild (3-5-1-0). * This roundup was generated automatically with a CP-developed application. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 13, 2023. 48-47
