WHL HEADLINES – Wednesday Night Recap

COUGARS CLINCH LAST PLAYOFF SPOT DESPITE O/T LOSS – Sean Zimmerman (pictured) scored 1:59 into overtime to lift the Spokane Chiefs to a 4-3 victory over the visiting Prince George Cougars in one of six Western Hockey League match-ups on Wednesday, March 15th.
r
rThe point gained from the overtime loss clinches Prince George the fourth and final playoff spot in the B.C. Division as they now have a five-point advantage over idle Kamloops with the Blazers having just two games remaining on their schedule.
r
rMichael Grabner continued his scoring tear, netting two goals and two assists for the Chiefs while Adam Hobson chipped in with a goal and two helpers in the victory. Kevin Armstrong made 34 saves to earn his 21st win of the season, and seventh with the Chiefs. The victory – their third in a row – improves Spokane to 24-38-5-3, but they have already been eliminated from the post-season.
r
rNick Drazenovic, Jared Walker and Greg Gardner scored for the Cougars, who find themselves in the playoffs for the first time since the 2002-03 campaign, while Scott Bowles stopped 30 shots in the defeat. The overtime setback leaves the Cougars at 35-28-2-4 and guarantees them fourth place in the B.C. Division.
r
rElsewhere on Wednesday, Curtis Billsten‘s power play goal five minutes into the first period stood as the winner as the visiting Kootenay Ice eked out a 1-0 victory over the Kelowna Rockets.
r
rKootenay netminder Taylor Dakers turned aside all 23 shots he faced to earn his 30th victory and eighth shutout of the season. The win improves the Ice to 44-22-1-3 and leaves them just two points behind Kelowna for second place in the B.C. Division.
r
rDerek Yeomans stopped 30 of 31 shots he faced for the Rockets in a losing cause. The defeat drops the Rockets to 45-21-1-3, and keeps them four points behind Vancouver for first place in the B.C. Division.
r
rIn Medicine Hat, Roman Psurny scored twice and added a pair of assists to lead the Tigers to a 7-1 thrashing of the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes on Wednesday night.
r
rKris Russell netted two goals and an assist for the Tigers while Darren Helm, Kevin Undershute and Brett Robertson also scored in the victory. Matt Keetley stopped 21 of 22 shots to pick up his league-leading 41st victory of the season. The win improves the Tigers to 46-16-1-7 and vaults them into first place in the Central Division and first overall.
r
rColton Yellow Horn – with his 23rd of the season – scored the lone goal for the Hurricanes, who suffer their sixth straight loss, while Gavin McHale made 35 saves in a losing cause. The defeat drops the ‘Canes to 27-35-3-5 and they remain only two points up on Swift Current for third place in the Central Division, with both teams having two remaining games.
r
rIn Portland, Brandon Dubinsky tallied the winner with just over five minutes remaining in the third period to lift the Winter Hawks to a 2-1 victory over the visiting Everett Silvertips on Wednesday.
r
rBrian Woolger – with his first tally since February 4th – also counted for the Winter Hawks, while Kurtis Mucha stopped 17 of 18 shots he faced to pick up his 12th victory of the season. The win improves the Hawks to 30-31-3-5, but they remain four points behind Seattle in the race for second place in the U.S. Division.
r
rDamir Alic scored the lone goal for the Silvertips, who drop their third straight decision, while Leland Irving made 20 stops in the defeat. The loss leaves Everett at 39-26-2-3, but they are already guaranteed first place in the U.S. Division.
r
rIn Prince Albert, Kyle Ross tallied his first career hat trick to lead the visiting Regina Pats to a 5-1 win over the Raiders on Wednesday.
r
rMatt Robinson and Nick Ross also scored for the Pats, who win their sixth straight contest on the road, while David Reekie made 26 saves to record his 31st victory of the season. The win improves the Pats to 39-26-1-4 and leaves them just two points behind Saskatoon for second place in the East Division and home-ice advantage in their upcoming playoff battle.
r
rAki Seitsonen scored the lone goal for the Raiders, who drop their third straight contest, while Jesse Deckert and Alex Archibald combined for 22 saves in a losing effort. The defeat leaves the Raiders at 24-35-1-10, but they’ve already been eliminated from post-season contention.
r
rIn other action on Wednesday, Robert Klinkhammer scored twice to lead the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds to a 3-2 victory over the Tri-City Americans.
r
rBud Holloway also scored for the T-Birds, while Bryan Bridges stopped 25 shots to pick up his 22nd victory of the season. The win improves the Thunderbirds to 33-30-1-5 and keeps them four points ahead of Portland for second place in the U.S. Division.
r
rMatt Swaby tallied both goals for the Americans, who drop their second straight decision. Carey Price allowed three goals on seven shots in the first period to take the loss for the Ams, while Chet Pickard stopped all 16 shots he faced in relief. The defeat drops the Ams to 28-34-4-3 and leaves them five points behind Portland for third place in the U.S. Division, with only three games remaining on their schedule.
r
r———————————————————-
r