WHL HEADLINES

SATURDAY NIGHT’S WHL MATCH-UPS – Mike Card (pictured) and the Kelowna Rockets (45-12-12-2) will try and lock up their third straight regular-season crown as they visit the Vancouver Giants (33-30-4-4) in one of nine Western Hockey League contests on Saturday night.
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rThe Rockets, currently two points ahead if Kootenay for first in the B.C. division and first overall, beat the Giants 3-2 last night in Kelowna to extend their unbeaten streak to 11 games, and their home unbeaten streak to 27 games. The Rockets will capture the Scotty Munro Trophy as regular-season champions with a win, tie or overtime loss tonight.
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rThe Giants, who have already locked up third spot in the B.C. division, are 3-6-1 in their last 10 outings including last night’s loss in Kelowna. The Giants are 22-12-1 on home ice this season.
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rIt’s the eighth and final meeting of the season between the Rockets and Giants, and the final regular-season game for both teams. The Rockets have not lost to the giants this season, with a 5-0-2 record through the first seven meetings.
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rElsewhere, the battle for third place in the Central division could be decided tonight as the Red Deer Rebels (35-25-6-4) host the Calgary Hitmen (34-23-9-5).
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rThe Rebels currently trail Calgary by two points for third in the division but have a game in hand. Red Deer could clinch third place – and a date with Lethbridge in the first round – with a win tonight.
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rThe Hitmen, currently third in the Central division, beat Lethbridge 1-0 last night, snapping a four-game winless streak. The Hitmen, who wrap up their regular season tonight, need to win to guarantee them third pace in the division and avoid a first-round match-up with Medicine Hat.
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rIt’s the 10th and final meeting of the season between the division rivals. Calgary leads the series 5-2-2 through the first nine meetings.
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rThe Brandon Wheat Kings (45-20-5-1) look to clinch first in the Eastern conference as they wrap up their regular season tonight visiting the Regina Pats (11-49-4-6).
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rThe Wheat Kings, already East division champs, blanked the Warriors 5-0 last night for their 19th win in their last 20 games. Brandon could clinch the Eastern conference title with a win, a tie, an overtime loss, or a Medicine Hat loss.
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rThe Pats, who are fifth in the East division, have been idle since last Sunday’s 8-1 loss to Medicine Hat and are winless in 29 straight contests. The Pats wrap up their regular-season schedule tomorrow in Moose Jaw.
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rIt’s the 10th meeting of the season between the Wheat Kings and Pats. Brandon is 8-1 versus Regina this season.
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rThe Medicine Hat Tigers (44-21-4-2) host the Swift Current Broncos (22-40-6-3) tonight in the back half of a weekend home-and-home series between the teams to wrap up their respective regular seasons.
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rThe Tigers, who have already claimed the Central division crown, beat the Broncos 2-0 last night in Swift Current for their third straight win. A win by the Tiger combined with a Brandon loss would move the teams into a tie for the Eastern Conference lead, although the Tigers would have the tiebreaker as they have the better head-to-head record with the Wheat Kings.
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rThe Broncos, fifth in the Central division, have been shut out in three straight games and are only 3-7 in their last 10 contests. The Broncos’ franchise will miss the post-season for the first time in the last 32 years.
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rIt’s the eighth meeting of the season between the teams. Medicine Hat has won six of seven previous meetings with the Broncos.
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rThe Everett Silvertips (33-26-9-2) visit the Tri-City Americans (25-34-8-3) tonight.
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rThe Silvertips currently lead Portland by one point for second in the U.S. division and could clinch second place with a win and a Winter Hawks defeat tonight. The Silvertips, who tied the Americans 2-2 last night in Everett, wrap up their regular season on Sunday in Seattle.
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rThe Americans, who clinched fourth in the U.S. division last night, are 3-4-3 in their last 10 games with last night’s draw in Everett. The Ams, who will face Seattle in the first round of the playoffs, wrap up the regular season Sunday in Portland.
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rIt’s the 10th and final meeting of the season between the Ams and ‘Tips. Tri-Cities has a 4-3-2 edge over Everett through nine previous meetings this season.
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rThe Kootenay Ice (46-15-7-3) visit the Spokane Chiefs (24-37-8-2) in the back end of a home-and-home series between the teams to finish off their respective regular-season schedules.
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rThe Ice, who trail Kelowna by two points for the B.C. division lead and first overall, beat the Chiefs 3-2 last night in Cranbrook for their 27th home win of the season. Kootenay could still win the Scotty Munro Trophy as regular-season champions with a win tonight and a Kelowna loss. Although the teams would be tied in that scenario, Kootenay has the tiebreaker because they have more victories.
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rThe Chiefs, fifth in the U.S. division, were officially eliminated form playoff contention with last night’s loss to the Ice. The Chiefs have dropped four straight contests.
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rIt’s the final meeting of the season between the Chiefs and Ice. Kootenay leads the series 3-1-1 though five previous encounters.
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rThe Seattle Thunderbirds (42-24-2-2) welcome the Portland Winter Hawks (33-27-5-5) tonight in a U.S. division match-up.
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rThe Thunderbirds, who have already won the U.S. division title, fell 2-1 in Portland last night and have dropped three of their last four games. The T-Birds will face the Tri-City Americans in the first round of the playoffs.
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rThe Winter Hawks, who trail Everett by just one point for second in the U.S. division, have won three of their last four games, including last night’s victory over Seattle. The Hawks still have a shot at finishing second in the division, and home-ice advantage in their first-round series with Everett.
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rIt’s the 12th and final meeting of the season between the T-Birds and Hawks. The series is tied 5-5-1 through the first 11 meetings.
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rThe Saskatoon Blades (36-23-6-6) host the Prince Albert Raiders (31-31-5-4) tonight in the second game of a home-and-home series between the teams to wrap up their regular season schedules.
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rThe Blades, second in the East division, fell 6-3 in Prince Albert last night and are 4-5-1 in their last 10 games. Saskatoon is 20-13-2 on home ice this season.
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rThe Raiders, third in the East division, have won three straight and four of their last five. Team captain Jeremy Colliton has scored one goal and chipped in six assists in three games since returning from injury.
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rIt’s the 10th meeting of the season between the Raiders and Blades. Saskatoon leads the season series 5-4 through nine previous encounters. The teams will also meet up in the first round of the playoffs.
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rIn other action, the Prince George Cougars (25-41-3-2) host the Kamloops Blazers (26-36-7-2) for the second time in as many nights tonight.
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rThe Cougars, who are fifth in the B.C. division, were officially eliminated from playoff contention with last night’s 5-2 loss to the Blazers. Tonight’s contest wraps up Prince George’s regular season.
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rThe Blazers, fourth in the B.C. division, clinched the fourth and final playoff spot in the B.C. division with last night’s win over the Cougars, earning them their 24th straight post-season appearance. The Blazers wrap up their regular-season schedule tonight.
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rIt’s the 10th meeting f the season between the Blazers and Cougars. Kamloops leads the series 6-3 through nine previous encounters.
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