Wednesday’s WHL Round-up
MCCOLGAN SCORES AS ROCKETS BLANK OIL KINGS — Kris Lazaruk stopped all 31 shots he faced to record his third shutout of the season as the visiting Kelowna Rockets shut down the Edmonton Oil Kings 3-0 in Western Hockey League action on Wednesday, December 17th.
15-year-old Shane McColgan notched his first WHL goal – the game-winner – for the Rockets (20-14-0-0), who snap three-game losing skid, while Cody Almond and Dylan Hood also scored. The win leaves the Rockets eight points clear for second place in the B.C. Division heading into the break.
Torrie Jung made 21 saves in a losing cause for the Oil Kings (15-19-2-3), who suffer their third straight defeat and head into the Christmas break in fifth place in the Central Division.
COUGARS 3, BLAZERS 2
Tyler Halliday tallied the game-winner into an empty net as the Prince George Cougars held on for a 3-2 win over the visiting Kamloops Blazers on Wednesday.
Brian Matte and Greg Fraser also scored for the Cougars (14-21-0-1), who improve to 4-3 over their last seven games. Kevin Armstrong stopped 35 of 37 shots he faced to pick up his 13th victory of the season and the 78th of his WHL career.
Zak Stebner and Shayne Wiebe scored for the Blazers (14-19-1-3), who head into the Christmas break with three consecutive defeats. Justin Leclerc turned in a 39-save performance in a losing cause for the Blazers.
BRONCOS 3, BRUINS 0
Mark Guggenberger turned in a 35-save performance to record his second shutout of the season and sixth of his WHL career to backstop the visiting Swift Current Broncos to a 3-0 win over the Chilliwack Bruins on Wednesday.
Keegan Dansereau notched a goal and an assist for the Broncos (21-15-0-1), who wrap up their B.C. Division tour with a 4-1 record, while Cody Eakin – with his third goal in as many games – and Matt Tassone also scored. The win moves the Broncos into sole possession of second place in the East Division heading into the Christmas break.
Mark Friesen made 18 saves in a losing cause for the Bruins (10-22-2-2), who have dropped 11 of their last 12 games and six straight on home ice. The Bruins sit in fifth place in the B.C. Division heading into the break.
ICE 3, TIGERS 0
Nathan Lieuwen made 29 saves to record his third shutout of the season as the Kootenay Ice blanked the visiting Medicine Hat Tigers on Wednesday.
Jesse Ismond, Matt Fraser and Dustin Sylvester – with an empty-net tally – scored for the Ice (18-14-2-3), who pick up their second win in their last three outings and head into the break in fourth place in the Central Division.
Ryan Holfeld turned in a 48-save effort in the loss for the Tigers (21-11-3-3), who close out their five-game road trip with a 3-2 record and head into the break in second place in the Central Division.
HITMEN 8, RAIDERS 4
Alex Plante, Kyle Bortis and Brandon Kozun each netted a goal and two assists as the visiting Calgary Hitmen doubled up the Prince Albert Raiders 8-4 on Wednesday.
Carson McMillan – with a goal and an assist – Rigby Burgart, Keith Seabrook, Paul Postma and Jason MacDonald also scored for the Hitmen (31-5-1-1), who win their sixth straight decision and head into the break in first place overall in the WHL standings. Martin Jones made 24 saves to earn the win.
Ryan McDonald – with a pair of goals – Dustin Cameron and Matt Robertson scored for the Raiders (15-22-2-0), who have dropped 12 of their last 14 games and head into the break in fifth place in the East Division. Steven Stanford and Garrett Zemlak combined for 28 saves in the loss.
BLADES 7, WARRIORS 3
Adam Chorneyko scored three goals and added an assist to lead the visiting Saskatoon Blades to a 7-3 win over the Moose Jaw Warriors on Wednesday.
Derek Hulak, Josh Nicholls and Burke Gallimore each tallied a goal and an assist while Jyri Niemi also scored for the Blades (25-10-2-0), who went 2-for-5 on the power play in the contest. Adam Morrison made 23 saves to earn the win.
Ryley Grantham and Tomas Karpov each tallied a goal and an assist while Travis Hamonic also counted for the Warriors (10-23-0-1), who head into the break with two straight defeats. Deven Dubyk made 27 saves in the defeat.
WHEAT KINGS 4, HURRICANES 3
Brayden Schenn and Scott Glennie scored shootout goals to lead the Brandon Wheat Kings to a 4-3 win over the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes on Wednesday.
Del Cowen, Andrew Clark and Matt Lowry scored in regulation for the Wheat Kings (20-13-1-1), who head into the break on the back of a three-game winning streak, while Schenn chipped in two helpers. Andrew Hayes made 25 saves through three periods and overtime, and denied both ‘Canes’ shootout attempts to record the victory.
Carter Ashton – with his 20th goal of the season – Colton Sceviour and Garrett Taylor scored in regulation for the Hurricanes (20-14-0-2), who were outshot 41-28 in the contest en route to seeing their modest two-game win streak halted. Juha Metsola made 38 saves through regulation and overtime, but was beaten twice in the shootout for the loss.
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