WHL Roundup: Cozens, Pilon tally tricks in wins for Hurricanes, Silvertips

 

Moose Jaw Warriors (3) at Prince Albert Raiders (4)
Moose Jaw (35-7-1-2) // Prince Albert (16-19-6-2)

Kody McDonald engineered some late-game heroics for the Prince Albert Raiders for the second time since last weekend’s trade sent him to the Saskatchewan club as he tallied the game-winner in a 4-3 victory over the best team in the WHL Saturday at the Art Hauser Centre.

The game had been a back-and-forth battle until that point. Jordy Stallard (Winnipeg Jets) opened the scoring late in the first with his first of two goals in the game. Ryan Peckford responded early into the second period though, making things tied.

In the second half of the period, Raiders captain Curtis Miske put his team ahead on his 13th of the season, but Justin Almeida responded minutes later to keep the score even.

It took just 43 seconds for that tie to be broken thanks to Stallard’s second goal of the game, keeping Prince Albert in front by a goal after 40 minutes. McDonald would score near the midway mark of the third to put his team up by two and despite Jett Woo scoring late in the game, the Warriors were never able to pull even again.

Curtis Meger played a big part of that, making 19 saves on 22 shots. Brody Willms lost for just the sixth time in regulation this season, making 22 saves on 24 shots.

Miske and Stallard each finished with three-point games. Brett Howden (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Brayden Burke each had two helpers for the Warriors in the loss.

Stallard, Miske lead Raiders to win over Warriors.

RECAP: https://t.co/uBzVm4xQz6

Photo by Terran Station/@fragment__media pic.twitter.com/Yi9yCvGM6Z

— Prince Albert Raiders (@PARaidersHockey) January 14, 2018

Calgary Hitmen (2) at Regina Pats (8)
Calgary (13-25-5-1) // Regina (23-19-4-0)

The Regina Pats didn’t hold back against the Calgary Hitmen Saturday  at the Brandt Centre, improving their record in January 2018 to 5-1-1-0.

Josh Mahura (Anaheim Ducks) had a goal and five points and Jesse Gabrielle (Boston Bruins) had a pair of goals and three points while Jared Legien and Sam Steel (Anaheim Ducks) each had a goal and two assists to lead the offensive beatdown.

For good measure, Matt Bradley added a goal and an assist while Cale Fleury (Montreal Canadiens) had three assists.

That was more than enough for Ryan Kubic to win his second straight start with the Pats, who didn’t face much resistance until late in the second period when they were already up by a 5-0 score.

Cael Zimmerman and Riley Stotts scored for the Hitmen in the loss. Robbie Holmes scored his 13th goal of the season in the lopsided victory.

Eight Goals, but only four pictures to summarize tonight’s 8-2 win!

📸: @keithhershphoto pic.twitter.com/3emJEdR6sd

— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) January 14, 2018

Edmonton Oil Kings (1) at Swift Current Broncos (9)
Edmonton (12-26-4-2) // Swift Current (31-10-3-0)

Fourteen different skaters picked up a point, including a season-high nine different goal scorers, as the Swift Current Broncos flexed their offensive muscles against the Edmonton Oil Kings to the tune of a 9-1 score.

Stuart Skinner (Edmonton Oilers) stopped 20 of 21 shots, but the majority of the action was at the other end. Captain Glenn Gawdin (Calgary Flames) and teammate Aleksi Heponiemi (Florida Panthers) each scored a goal and added a pair of assists.

Giorgio Estephan and Tanner Nagel each their first goals with the Broncos while Andrew Fyten picked up a pair of assists in his first points with his new club.

Tyler Steenbergen (Arizona Coyotes) added a pair of assists as well and the Broncos received contributions from a full compliment of other players. Artyom Minulin, Beck Malenstyn, Kole Gable and Max Patterson all scored while Matteo Gennaro had a goal and an assist.

The Broncos continued to keep their offence in overdrive in the third, scoring three time in a 64-second span.

Carter Souch scored his first career WHL goal in the loss for the Oil Kings.

.@aleksiheponiemi @T_Steener & Artyom Minulin signing autographs after the game! This could take a while… #OurTeamOurTown pic.twitter.com/3CYt8a6KSO

— Swift Current Broncos (@SCBroncos) January 14, 2018

Medicine Hat Tigers (4) at Brandon Wheat Kings (3) — OT
Medicine Hat (24-17-3-0) // Brandon (28-12-2-1)

Ryan Jevne scored 62 seconds into overtime Saturday at Westman Place, helping the Medicine Hat Tigers knock off the Brandon Wheat Kings.

The Wheat Kings had built up a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes on goals from Stelio Mattheos (Carolina Hurricanes) and Ty Lewis (Colorado Avalanche), but the Tigers roared back with Mark Rassell’s 36th goal of the year and David Quenneville’s (New York Islanders) 19th goal of the season, giving him 50 points on the campaign.

Connor Gutenberg’s 14th goal of the season would push the Wheaties up by one early in the third, but the Tigers would respond minutes later on a goal by Gary Haden. Bryan Lockner earned an assist on Haden’s goal, giving him two points in three games with his new club.

Michael Bullion stopped 22 of 25 shots to earn the victory, his 10th of the season, while Logan Thompson stopped 34 of 38 shots at the other end of the rink.

The Medicine Hat Tigers come all the back to win a wild one 4-3 in OT! #BDNvsMH #gotigersgo #livebreatheorange #medhat pic.twitter.com/9OaEvvBlCr

— Medicine Hat Tigers (@tigershockey) January 14, 2018

Kootenay ICE (2) at Lethbridge Hurricanes (5)
Kootenay (18-22-3-0) // Lethbridge (20-19-3-0)

The duo of Dylan Cozens and Logan Barlage continued to win over fans at the Enmax Centre one taco at a time Saturday.

The 2019 NHL Draft-eligible forward Cozens notched a hat trick and four points as the Lethbridge Hurricanes won their third straight game Saturday in a 5-2 victory over the Kootenay ICE. Barlage added a pair of assists and Logan Flodell made 23 saves on 25 shots from the ICE.

Keltie Jeri-Leon and Cozen’s first of the game had the Hurricanes up 2-1 on the ICE after 20 minutes, with Cameron Hausinger supplying the lone goal for the visiting side.

Sam Huston tied up the game early in the second, but it was all Hurricanes from there on out. Cozens’ put the Hurricanes ahead 115 seconds later and completed his hat trick later in the period. Taylor Ross completed a two-point game by scoring into an empty net as the lone goal of the third. Owen Blocker picked up his first point with his new club as well in the win.

Duncan McGovern stopped 21 of 25 shots in the loss.

THROW THE HATSSSSS THE KIDS DO IT AGAIN!!! DYLAN COZENS TRIPLE DIPS !!#CaneTrain pic.twitter.com/t6wFerWFAb

— Lethbridge Hurricanes (@WHLHurricanes) January 14, 2018

Oh, right,

YAHOOOOOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/av0CKGL5L7

— Lethbridge Hurricanes (@WHLHurricanes) January 14, 2018

Saskatoon Blades (3) at Red Deer Rebels (2) — OT
Saskatoon (22-19-2-1) // Red Deer (10-23-8-3)

Max Gerlach led and completed the comeback effort Saturday in central Alberta, scoring twice and adding an assist as the Saskatoon Blades captured a 3-2 overtime overtime victory over the Red Deer Rebels.

The first half of the game belonged to the Rebels, who received goals from Grayson Pawlenchuk and Mason McCarty, but the Tigers owned the second half of regulation and then the extra period, picking up their 22nd victory of the season.

Gerlach cut the Rebels’ lead to one after 40 minutes with his 17th goal of the season and then earned a primary assist on Josh Paterson’s 21st goal of the campaign. Gerlach completed his three-point game 81 seconds into overtime, starting the Blades’ three-game road trip off on the right foot.

Evan Fiala earned a pair of helpers in the win, factoring into both regulation goals. Eric Florchuk and Dawson Davidson each earned their first points with their new clubs, each drawing an assist on Saskatoon’s first and third goal respectively.

Rookie Nolan Maier continued his surprising season, earning win number 14 after stopping 23 of 25 shots. Ethan Anders stopped 35 of 38 in response for the Rebels.

aaaaaand the celly pic.twitter.com/S4alb0tdmi

— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) January 14, 2018

Seattle Thunderbirds (4) at Portland Winterhawks (5)
Seattle (20-16-4-2) // Portland (26-13-1-2)

The Portland Winterhawks started out strong, let the Seattle Thunderbirds back in the game and still managed to hang on for a tight 5-4 victory Saturday night at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Skyler McKenzie (Winnipeg Jets) had a pair of goals and three points, Cody Glass (Vegas Golden Knights) had a goal and an assist and Kieffer Bellows (New York Islanders) added a pair of helpers to lead the Winterhawks to their 26th victory of the season.

Glass’ goal and the pair from McKenzie had the Winterhawks up 3-0 just past the eight minute mark of the second period. The Thunderbirds found their legs in the second period though, responding with goals from Dillon Hamaliuk and Donovan Neuls to cut the lead to one.

Portland had plenty left in the tank though, with Joachim Blichfeld (San Jose Sharks) and Ryan Hughes restoring the three-goal lead by the end of the middle period. Hamaliuk’s second goal of the game and Nolan Volcan’s 18th goal of the season cut things to within a goal once again in the third, but Shane Farkas kept the door closed, stopping 23 of 27 shots and picking up an assist for his first career WHL point.

Liam Hughes and Dorrin Luding combined for 34 saves on 39 shots in Saturday’s loss.

Shane Farkas (23 saves) picked up his 5th win of the season tonight against Seattle. Here he is postgame. pic.twitter.com/LcSAtZc35X

— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) January 14, 2018

Kelowna Rockets (2) at Vancouver Giants (3)
Kelowna (27-13-2-1) // Vancouver (25-14-4-2)

Ty Ronning (New York Rangers) became just the second player in the Western Hockey League to reach the 40-goal plateau this season Saturday, but it was James Malm providing the dagger in the hearts of the Kelowna Rockets, scoring his league-leading ninth game-winning goal in a 3-2 victory over the B.C. Division leaders.

Conner Bruggen-Cate started the scoring in the second after both teams failed to find the back of the net in the first, but goals from Owen Hardy and Ronning put the Giants in front by a 2-1 score after 40 minutes. Leif Mattson tied up the game early in the third, but the Giants once again responded, with Malm’s 17th of the season.

David Tendeck stopped 28 of 30 shots in the victory. James Porter stopped 23 of 26 in the loss.

Davis Koch earned an assist in his debut with the Giants. Hardy and Malm each added an assist to their goals to finish with multi-point nights.

RECAP: @James_Malm broke up a 2-2 tie with his @TheWHL leading 9th GWG, @TyRonning7 became the fifth Giant ever to reach 40 goals and David Tendeck was well… David Tendeck in a 3-2 win Saturday over Kelowna in front of 4753 at the @LangleyEvents!

MORE: https://t.co/nsbMRPw7oK pic.twitter.com/sEqDLlfzku

— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) January 14, 2018

Prince George Cougars (5) at Tri-City Americans (2)
Prince George (17-20-4-3) // Tri-City (22-15-5-0)

Jake Bean (Carolina Hurricanes) scored his first goal as a member of the Tri-City Americans but a steady stream of offence from the Prince George Cougars spoiled the party at the Toyota Centre Saturday.

A goal and two assists from Jared Bethune mixed in with a goal and an assist from Jackson Leppard, Vladislav Mikhalchuk and newcomer Ilijah Colina guided the Cougars to a five goal effort, which was more than enough offence for Tavin Grant, who stopped 26 of 28 shots to earn the victory.

Joel Lakusta kickstarted the scoring Saturday with the only goal of the first before Colina, Leppard and Mikhalchuk scored in the second. Parker AuCoin and Bethune traded goals in the third.

Josh Maser had a pair of assists in the victory. Patrick Dea stopped 23 of 27 shots in the loss.

. @bethune_21 with an empty-net goal and that will do it. Cougars win 5-2! Going back north with two BIG points. #WHL #PGvsTC pic.twitter.com/rwboFr4jY6

— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) January 14, 2018

Everett Silvertips (5) at Spokane Chiefs (2)
Everett (26-16-1-1) // Spokane (22-19-1-2)

On the night of Carter Hart’s (Philadelphia Flyers) return to WHL action, it was Garrett Pilon (Washington Capitals) stealing the show with his second hat trick of the season in a 5-2 win over the Spokane Chiefs.

Matt Fontyene added the other two goals for the Silvertips while Hart stopped 31 of the 33 shots from the Chiefs.

Wyatte Wylie and Connor Dewar each had a pair of helpers in the victory. Kailer Yamamoto (Edmonton Oilers) assisted on both of Spokane’s goals. Jake McGrew and Hudson Elynuik (Carolina Hurricanes) scored for the Chiefs.

Bailey Brkin stopped 29 of 33 shots to take the loss on home ice.

After going down 1-0 before the midway mark of the first, the Silvertips reeled off four straight goals to take over the game before trading single goals with Spokane in the third.

FIVE TO TWO

PILON HAT TRICK

HART 31 SAVES

THAT'S A FINAL!!! pic.twitter.com/iY0ucRXHcx

— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) January 14, 2018

Kamloops Blazers (4) at Victoria Royals (5)
Kamloops (18-22-1-2) // Victoria (25-16-3-1)

For a second straight night, the Kamloops Blazers came up a little short while the Victoria Royals edged their opponents in a one-goal victory.

It was Dante Hannoun providing the backbreaking goal against the Blazers Saturday, completing a two-goal performance. The Blazers did their darndest to earn a split from the weekend set. Jermaine Loewen, Joe Gatenby and Brodi Stuart all scored in the first 10:36 of the first period, but the Royals came back in the rest of the period, on goals from Hannoun and Jeff de Wit.

De Wit would add his second of the game early in the second to tie up the game, only to watch Luc Smith restore the one-goal lead for the Blazers early in the third. The Royals didn’t back down from the challenge as Andrei Grishakov scored minutes after Smith’s goal to even up the game once again, followed by Hannoun’s winner with 3:31 to go in the contest.

Griffen Outhouse stopped 38 of 42 shots to help the Royals score their fourth straight victory on home ice.

De Wit added an assist, finishing with three points while Igor Martynov added a pair of helpers. Matthew Phillips (Calgary Flames), Tanner Kaspick (St. Louis Blues) and Chaz Reddekopp (Los Angeles Kings) all picked up a single assist in the win.

Dylan Ferguson (Vegas Golden Knights) stopped 23 shots in the loss Saturday.

Jeff de Wit and Dante Hannoun both earned multi-goal games as we defeated the Blazers 5-4!

Read: https://t.co/VNN6IFGkJA pic.twitter.com/bIA2kZttGc

— Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) January 14, 2018