WHL HEADLINES

FRIDAY NIGHT’S WHL PLAYOFF MATCH-UPS – Kenndal McArdle (pictured) and the Moose Jaw Warriors host Eric Fehr and the Brandon Wheat Kings tonight in game four of their opening-round match-up.
r
rThe Warriors, down 1-2 in the best-of-seven series, earned a 4-1 victory over Brandon on Wednesday night in Moose Jaw to get themselves back into the series. Blair Jones (1g-4a) leads the Warriors in playoff scoring, with five points through the first three games.
r
rThe Wheat Kings, who lead the series two games to one, fell to the Warriors for the first time in 12 contests this season. Brandon’s power play has connected six times in 18 opportunities through the first three games of the series. Brandon scratches: Teegan Moore, Tim Konsorada, Steven Later.
r
rThe Warriors host game five of the series on Saturday night.
r
rElsewhere tonight, the Medicine Hat Tigers host the Red Deer Rebels in game five of their first-round match-up.
r
rThe Tigers skated to a 6-1 win over the Rebels on Wednesday night, evening up the best-of-seven series 2-2. Brett Robertson, who had a three-point effort on Wednesday, leads the team with three goals through the first four contests of the series. Medicine Hat scratches: Cody Blanshan.
r
rThe Rebels’ lone tally on Wednesday night came from Jesse Zetariuk. Red Deer has been outscored 14-10 through the first four games of the series. Red Deer scratches: Ty Morris, Eric Frere, Ted Vandermeer.
r
rThe Rebels host game six of the series on Sunday in Red Deer.
r
rThe Lethbridge Hurricanes will try and prolong their post-season hopes as they host the Calgary Hitmen tonight in game five of their first-round series.
r
rThe Hurricanes fell 3-2 to the Hitmen in double overtime on Wednesday night in Calgary, handing the Hitmen a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. The ‘Canes need to win tonight if they want to stay alive in the series.
r
rThe Hitmen, up 3-1 in the series, have won three straight contests since dropping the series opener to the ‘Canes. Andrew Ladd, who netted the overtime winner on Wednesday, leads the Hitmen with four goals in the first four games of the series. Calgary scratches: Darryl Yacboski.
r
rGame six, if necessary, will be in Calgary on Saturday night.
r
rThe Kelowna Rockets welcome the Vancouver Giants tonight in game five of their first-round match-up.
r
rThe Rockets managed a 2-1 overtime victory over the Giants on Wednesday in Vancouver, evening up the best-of-seven series at two games apiece. Kelowna’s power play, ranked second in the league during the regular season, has managed just three goals in 21 opportunities through the first four games of the series. Kelowna scratches: Shea Weber, Kevin Reinholt.
r
rThe Giants fell 2-1 to the Rockets in overtime on Wednesday for their second extra-frame defeat of the series. Adam Courchaine leads the Giants in playoff scoring with three goals and five points. Vancouver scratches: Scott Gabriel, Luke Egener.
r
rThe series moves back to Vancouver for game six on Saturday night.
r
rThe Kootenay Ice host the Kamloops Blazers tonight in game five of their first-round series.
r
rKootenay pulled off a 3-2 overtime win in Kamloops on Wednesday night that evened up the best-of-seven series at 2-2. Dale Mahovsky, who scored the overtime winner, leads the Ice in playoff scoring with two goals and five points.
r
rThe Blazers were less than a minute away from a 2-1 win on Wednesday only to see the Ice tie it up, then win in overtime. The Blazers’ penalty-killing unit hasn’t allowed a power play goal on the road in this series.
r
rKamloops hosts game six of the series on Sunday night.
r
rThe Portland Winter Hawks will try and stave off elimination tonight as they host the Everett Silvertips in game five of their first-round series.
r
rThe Hawks fell 3-2 in overtime to the Silvertips on Wednesday night in Everett that put them down 1-3 in the best-of-seven series. Portland has managed just six goals through the first four games of the series. Portland scratches: Mike Sauer.
r
rThe Silvertips have won three straight games in the series after losing the opener and will try and wrap up the series tonight with a victory. Zach Hamill has netted the game-winning goal in both of the last two Everett wins. Everett scratches: Jeremy Creuer.
r
rGame six, if necessary, will be in Everett on Saturday night.
r
rIn other action on Friday night, The Tri-City Americans will try and avoid being swept as they host the Seattle Thunderbirds in game four of their first-round series.
r
rThe Americans were beaten 3-2 by the Thunderbirds on Wednesday night, giving the T-Birds a 3-0 series lead. Andy Thompson has been involved in four of the Ams’ five goals through the first three games of the best-of-seven series. Tri-City scratches: Jason Beeman.
r
rSeattle, up three games to none in the series, will try and wrap up their first series sweep since 1982 when they downed the Victoria Cougars in four straight games. Aaron Gagnon leads the T-Birds in playoff scoring with three goals and an assist in three games. Seattle scratches: Bretton Stamler, Matt Hansen.
r
rGame five, if necessary, will be in Seattle on Saturday night.
r
r——————————————————————————–
r
rWHL ANNOUNCES SUSPENSIONS
r
r
r-Cody Blanshan of the Medicine Hat Tigers has been suspended for two games under supplemental discipline for an incident at Red Deer on March 30.
r
r-Jason Beeman of the Tri-City Americans has been suspended under supplemental discipline for an incident versus Seattle on March 30. The length of the suspension is to be determined.
r
r-Steven Later of the Brandon Wheat Kings has been suspended for one game for receiving a major penalty and a game misconduct at Moose Jaw on March 30.
r
r——————————————————————————-
r