WHL HEADLINES

SUNDAY’S WHL MATCH-UPS – Nigel Dawes (pictured) and the Kootenay Ice (43-15-7-3) visit the Calgary Hitmen (33-22-9-5) in one of four Western Hockey League contests on Sunday.
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rThe Ice, who currently trail Kelowna by four points for first in the B.C. division and first overall, are coming off last night’s 2-2 draw in Red Deer and are 4-4-2 in their last 10 outings. Kootenay, along with Kelowna, has allowed a league-low 131 goals-against this season. Dawes, the Ice’s leading scorer, is carrying a 16-game point streak into tonight’s contest.
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rThe Hitmen, who currently hold a two-point edge over the Rebels for third in the Central division, are coming off Friday’s 2-2 tie with Red Deer and have won only once in their last five outings. Calgary is 19-9-7 on home ice this season.
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rIt’s the seventh and final meeting of the season between the Ice and Hitmen. Kootenay leads the series 4-1-1 through the first six encounters.
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rElsewhere on Sunday, the Portland Winter Hawks (31-26-5-5) welcome the Everett Silvertips (31-26-8-2) in the back half of a home-and-home series between the U.S. division rivals.
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rThe Winter Hawks, currently tied with Everett for second in the U.S. division, blanked the ‘Tips 2-0 last night in Everett and are 5-4-1 in their last 10 games. Dan Da Silva, the Hawks’ leading scorer, has three goals and six points in his last three games.
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rThe Silvertips, deadlocked with Portland for second in the division, are also 5-4-1 in their last 10 games, including last night’s defeat. Everett is 12-17-4 on the road this season.
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rIt’s the 10th meeting of the season between the division foes. Everett has a slight edge in the season series, with a 4-3-2 record through the first nine encounters.
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rThe Regina Pats (11-48-4-6) host the Medicine Hat Tigers (41-21-4-2) tonight.
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rThe Pats, who trail the Warriors by five points for fourth in the East division, were beaten 3-2 last night by Saskatoon and are winless in 28 straight contests. If the Pats lose tonight, they will be eliminated from playoff contention.
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rThe Tigers, who trail the Hurricanes by one point for the Central division lead, were defeated 4-1 in Prince Albert last night, snapping a four-game win streak. Medicine Hat is 18-14-2 on the road this season.
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rIt’s the fourth and final meeting of the season between the Pats and Tigers. The Tigers have won all three previous meetings this season.
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rIn other Sunday action, the Spokane Chiefs (24-34-8-2) visit the Seattle Thunderbirds (41-22-2-2) in a U.S. division match-up.
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rThe Chiefs, who currently trail Tri-Cities by two points for fourth in the U.S. division, were defeated 4-3 by the Ams last night and have dropped three of their last four outings. The Chiefs are 11-22-1 on the road this season.
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rThe Thunderbirds, who already own the U.S. division title, are coming off Friday’s 5-1 defeat to Everett and have dropped two of their last three games. The T-Birds are 21-10-2 on home ice this season.
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rIt’s the ninth meeting of the season between the T-Birds and Chiefs. Seattle leads the season series 5-3 through the first eight encounters.
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