WHL Roundup: Hitmen and Royals win big, Kaspick sinks Tigers in OT, Hart perfect once again
Medicine Hat Tigers (3) at Brandon Wheat Kings (4) — OT
Medicine Hat (17-11-2-0) // Brandon (21-7-0-1)
Tanner Kaspick (St. Louis Blues) notched his 10th goal of the season on the power play 3:47 into overtime to keep the Brandon Wheat Kings rolling with their seventh straight victory.
Stelio Mattheos (Carolina Hurricanes and Kaspick each ended up with a goal and an assist while Kale Clague (Los Angeles Kings) added three assists and Logan Thompson stopped 39 shots for his 17th victory of the season.
Brandon was rolling at the start of the game, recording three goals in the first period from Linden McCorrister, Evan Weinger and Mattheos. The Tigers cut into the lead in the final 40 minutes though, with goals from James Hamblin and Tyler Preziuso in the second and Hamblin’s second of the game as the only goal of the third to force overtime, before failing to gain the extra point.
Michael Bullion made three saves on five shots to start the night before giving way to Jordan Hollett (Ottawa Senators), who turned aside 38 of 40 shots sent his way as he picked up a single point for his club.
Tonight's Insurance Goal of the Night – the GWG by the captain @TKaspick16 – in a 4-3 OT win over the Medicine Hat Tigers. Check out more #Insurance goals at https://t.co/KvIMtHk9Ar
— Brandon Wheat Kings (@bdnwheatkings) December 9, 2017
Kamloops Blazers (5) at Prince Albert Raiders (6) — SO
Kamloops (13-15-0-1) // Prince Albert (12-11-5-2)
Captain Curtis Miske sent the teddy bears flying at the Art Hauser Centre and after a back-and-forth battle, the Prince Albert Raiders managed to snag two points from the game, winning in a shootout against the visiting Kamloops Blazers.
Miske finished with a pair of goals and three points while Brayden Pachal added a pair of helpers and Cole Fonstad tallied a goal and an assist as the Raiders snapped a three-game losing streak, but also extended another streak, taking a point from a game for the third straight contest.
Nick Chyzowski opened the scoring in the first for the Blazers, but Miske answered back 2:23 later to send the teddy bears flying in Prince Albert. Brodi Stuart, the WHL Rookie of the Month for November, restored the one-goal lead for the Blazers 46 seconds into the second, but like clockwork, Devon Skoleski came back with the tying goal later in the period.
Quinn Benjafield and Garrett Pilon (Washington Capitals), scored with 14 seconds left in the second and 8:41 into the third to give the visiting side a two-goal cushion. That lead evaporated quickly as Jordy Stallard (Winnipeg Jets) scored his second of the game eight seconds after Pilon’s goal, followed by Miske’s second of the game a few minutes later.
Connor Zary’s fourth of the season would give the Blazers another lead to play with, but it would be squandered once again as Cole Fonstand scored with 2:32 to go in the game.
With the game eventually heading to a shootout, the Raiders made good on completing the comeback, with Fonstad scoring the lone goal of the extra frame to deliver them the win while Ian Scott (Toronto Maple Leafs) stopepd all three Blazers shooters in addition to the 35 saves he made in regulation and overtime.
Dylan Ferguson (Vegas Golden Knights) stopped 32 of 37 shots in the loss.
(Photo credit: Terran Station/Fragment Media)
Round 3
Kelly – stopped
Stuart – stopped!Game over! Raiders win 6-5!
— Prince Albert Raiders (@PARaidersHockey) December 9, 2017
Kelowna Rockets (7) at Regina Pats (5)
Kelowna (18-8-2-1) // Regina (15-14-2-0)
Leif Mattson and Nolan Foote each had a pair of goals and Libor Zabransky added a pair of assists as the Kelowna Rockets started their road trip on the right foot.
The first period of Friday’s WHL on Access broadcast was bonkers, with seven goals and four lead changes.
Josh Mahura (Anaheim Ducks) opened the scoring and sent the teddy bears onto the ice exactly 4:00 into the game. The Rockets responded quickly though, with goals from Mattson and Braydyn Chizen to give Kelowna their first lead. Nick Henry (Colorado Avalanche) added a pair of goals to retake the lead in favour of the Pats, but Nolan Foote would even up the game at threes with 1:10 to go in the period.
Mahura would have the final say in the period, notching his second of the contest to put the Pats ahed 4-3 after 20 intense minutes.
The Rockets took control of the game in the second and early parts of the third, reeling off four straight goals as goals came from Mattson, Dillon Dube (Calgary Flames) and Carsen Twarynski (Philadelphia Flyers) to put the visitors up 7-4.
Mahura would complete his hat trick late in the game with his 11th of the season, but it wouldn’t be enough to overcome Kelowna on this night.
James Porter allowed four goals on 10 shots to open the game, giving way to Roman Basran, who allowed one goal on 23 shots in the final 40 minutes. Tyler Brown made 19 saves on 25 shots before Max Paddock took over the crease duties, stopping six of seven shots.
(Photo credit: Keith Hershmiller/Regina Pats)
Rockets spoil Teddy Bear night in Regina with 7-5 win. Story: https://t.co/QblLfLqv4v #KELvsREG #WHLRockets #WWWWWW #XmasRoady 🚀🐉🎅 pic.twitter.com/ftXei3j2ag
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) December 9, 2017
Edmonton Oil Kings (6) at Lethbridge Hurricanes (5) — OT
Edmonton (7-19-3-0) // Lethbridge (14-13-2-0)
Trey Fix-Wolansky’s 11th goal of the season was the 11th and final goal of a wild game in southern Alberta Friday night as the Oil Kings won in overtime over the Hurricanes.
The Oil Kings jumped out to a 3-2 lead after the first period as they received goals from Brett Kemp, Ethan Cap and Nick Bowman while Giorgio Estephan and Igor Merezhko answered back for Lethbridge.
In the second period, momentum shifted in favour of the Hurricanes as they scored three times in a 5:47 span to take their first lead of the game with Jadon Joseph, Taylor Ross and Jake Elmer each lighting the lamp.
The Oil Kings found a way to responded though, tallying three unanswered goals to complete the comeback. Colton Kehler scored with 2:45 to go in the second period, cutting the lead to one after 40, Tomas Soustal had the lone goal of the third period and Fix-Wolansky won it in overtime. Ty Gerla had three assists in the victory.
Travis Child stopped 35 of 40 shots for the victory. Stuart Skinner (Edmonton Oilers) stopped 14 of 20 in the loss.
#OilKings WIN!!!!! @Wally9191 ends it in OT and we have a 6-5 win! pic.twitter.com/kDmGtFrXL5
— Edmonton Oil Kings (@EdmOilKings) December 9, 2017
Swift Current Broncos (1) at Calgary Hitmen (6)
Swift Current (20-7-2-0) // Calgary (9-16-3-1)
Conner Chaulk scored twice, including the game-winner, and Riley Stotts added his third of the season as the former Swift Current Broncos gave their former teammates a rough welcome to Calgary Friday.
Jake Kryski had three assists, Luke Coleman had two helpers, and Mark Kastelic added a goal and an assist in other noteworthy performances as the Hitmen ran wild on one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
Goals from Kastelic and Chaulk had the Hitmen up 2-0 on the Broncos after 40 minutes. Broncos captain Glenn Gawdin (Calgary Flames) scored an unassisted goal on fellow Flames prospect Nick Schneider (Calgary Flames) to ruin his shutout bid, but it would be the lone shot to beat him Friday.
Chaulk, Stotts, Jakob Stukel and Orca Wiesblatt rounded out the scoring in a four goal third period.
Schneider was a shot away from being perfect, finishing with 14 saves. Flodell stopped 37 of 43 shots in the loss.
There were a lot of smiles and a lot to celly about tonight 😎
Check out the awesome shots from the win over the Broncos ➡️ https://t.co/QZqtrKrUOZ
📸: @CWardPhoto pic.twitter.com/PdR3cvfdIC
— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) December 9, 2017
Moose Jaw Warriors (3) at Red Deer Rebels (0)
Moose Jaw (24-5-1-1) // Red Deer (9-18-3-1)
Brody Willms made 27 saves for his third career WHL shutout as the Warriors improved to 2-0-0-0 on their road trip through Alberta, downing the Red Deer Rebels Friday.
Brett Howden (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Tanner Jeannot’s 22nd goal of the season came in the second period while Jayden Halbgewachs rounded out the scoring with his 30th goal of the season in the third to cement the victory.
Josh Brook (Montreal Canadiens), Matthew Benson and Justin Almeida each picked up assists in the game. Howden picked up a helper to enjoy a multi-point game.
Riley Lamb stopped 22 of 24 shots in the loss. Grayson Pawlenchuk led the Rebels with four shots Friday.
Brody Willms (@BWillms35) made 27 saves for his 2nd shutout of the year in a 3-0 win in Red Deer and was the Warrior of the Game pic.twitter.com/x4rwt6PNVb
— Moose Jaw Warriors (@MJWARRIORS) December 9, 2017
Vancouver Giants (1) at Portland Winterhawks (0)
Vancouver (13-13-2-2) // Portland (20-7-0-1)
David Tendeck stopped all 37 shots sent his way to record his first career WHL shutout as the Vancouver Giants extended their winning streak to two games south of the 49th parallel Friday.
Cole Kehler (Los Angeles Kings) stopped 17 of the 18 shots thrown his way, but Brendan Semchuk’s eighth goal of the season with 7:44 left in the third was his lone miss and wound up as the difference in the game. Dylan Plouffe had the only assist in the game.
Tendeck was on his game at the other end of the ice, stopping 14 shots in the first, 11 in the second and 12 in the third.
Skyler McKenzie (Winnipeg Jets) and Kieffer Bellows (New York Islanders) led the Winterhawks with six shots each.
STACKING THE DECK!!!!!
David Tendeck makes 37 saves to earn his first @TheWHL shutout! The Giants get a third period goal from @semchuk27 and defeat the Winterhawks 1-0! Two straight wins for the G-Men! Kootenay tomorrow night at the LEC! pic.twitter.com/it0ObLSkDN
— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) December 9, 2017
Spokane Chiefs (0) at Everett Silvertips (3)
Spokane (15-10-1-2) // Everett (16-12-1-1)
What more can you say about Carter Hart (Philadelphia Flyers)?
The Sherwood Park, Alta. product stopped all 39 shots sent his way by the Spokane Chiefs Friday to record his 24th career WHL shutout,
Sean Richards scored the lone goal of the second period with Matt Fontyene and Patrick Bajkov scored in the third to round out Everett’s offence as the ‘Tips won their seventh straight game.
Bajkov added an assist for the multi-point effort while both Montana Onyebuchi and Kevin Davis had helpers.
Hart was his usual self, stopping 13 shots in the first, 13 more in the second and 13 in the third to pull him closer to Tyson Sexsmith’s all-time WHL shutouts record.
Jaret Anderson-Dolan (Los Angeles Kings) led the Chiefs with seven shots while Declan Hobbs made 17 saves in the loss.
39 SAVE SHUTOUT BY CARTER HART! #Number1HockeyBoy
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) December 9, 2017
Kootenay ICE (3) at Victoria Royals (10)
Kootenay (13-16-1-0) // Victoria (18-10-3-0)
If the Victoria Royals were looking for a statement game and some inspiration following a subpar road trip, they certainly found it and then some against the Kootenay ICE Friday as they held their annual Teddy Bear toss night.
Eric Florchuk sent the teddy bears flying 5:17 into the first period as part of what would turn out to be a five-point game for the 2000-born Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. product.
On top of Florchuk’s magical night, Kaid Oliver had a pair of goals and four points while Igor Martynov, Tyler Soy (Anaheim Ducks) and Dino Kambeitz each added a goal and an assist.
Chaz Reddekopp (Los Angeles Kings), Scott Walford (Montreal Canadiens) and Jared Freadrich each added a pair of helpers.
Ralph Jarratt, Jeremy Malasa and Spencer Gerth had single goal games in the lopsided victory.
Peyton Krebs, Brett Davis (Dallas Stars) and Cole Muir all scored for the ICE.
Griffen Outhouse made 25 saves on 27 shots, but gave way to Dean McNabb late, who made two saves on three shots. Bailey Brkin and Duncan McGovern combined for 30 saves on 40 shots.
(Photo credit: Jonathon Howe/Victoria Royals)
ROYALS WIN! 16 different Royals skaters registered a point in a 10-3 victory over Kootenay! pic.twitter.com/qjxrds7EKQ
— Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) December 9, 2017
Tri-City Americans (6) at Seattle Thunderbirds (5)
Tri-City (14-9-3-0) // Seattle (13-13-2-1)
Jordan Topping scored 4:15 into overtime as the Tri-City Americans avoided a near-collapse against the Seattle Thunderbirds.
Brett Clayton opened the scoring for the Americans 5:50 into the first ,but the Thunderbirds came back with goals from Matthew Wedman and Noah Philp to take a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes.
The second period belonged to the Americans as Michael Rasmussen (Detroit Red Wings) scored twice, followed by goals from Clayton’s second of the game and Riley Sawchuk’s third of the season to put the Americans up 5-2 after 40 minutes.
The defending Ed Chynoweth Cup Champions slowly chipped away at that lead though, with goals from Nolan Volcan, Zack Andrusiak and Donovan Neuls in a 5:16 span to tie up the game. Neuls’ goal was well-timed, coming in the dying seconds of the contest to force overtime.
The Americans would regroup enough in the extra period to go ahead for good though on Topping’s 15th goal of the season and eight career WHL game-winning goal.
Beck Warm stopped 12 of 17 shots in the narrow victory. Matt Berlin and Dorrin Luding made 20 and 15 saves respectively in the game.
Breakaway for @JordanT_11 who has ALL day and ends it!!! #AmsNation #NoiseFTB pic.twitter.com/oSLsIwzk9s
— Tri-City Americans (@TCAmericans) December 9, 2017
Loading ...