WHL: Stankoven nets five points, Blazers blank Winterhawks

KAMLOOPS, B.C. — Logan Stankoven scored twice and added three assists as the Kamloops Blazers defeated the visiting Portland Winterhawks 5-0 on Saturday night in Western Hockey League playoff action at the Sandman Centre.

With the win, the Blazers grab a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series.

Caedan Bankier, Olen Zellweger and Daylan Kuefler also scored for the Blazers, who won Game 1 on Friday by a 6-4 decision.

The Blazers, who will host and play in the 2023 Memorial Cup championship May 26 to June 4, outshot the Winterhawks 42-28 and received flawless netminding from Dylan Ernst.

The Blazers led 1-0 after the first period and 3-0 heading into the third.

The Blazers went 3-for-4 on the power play, while the Winterhawks were 0-for-2.

Game 3 in the series is scheduled for Wednesday in Portland, Ore.

Elsewhere in the WHL:

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WARRIORS 5 ICE 3

Best-of-seven series tied 1-1

WINNIPEG, Man. — The Winnipeg ICE haven't had much adversity this season in compiling a franchise-best record of 57 wins, 10 losses and one overtime loss.

They found some on Saturday, giving up four goals — three on the power play — in the first period to the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors, who then hung on for a 5-3 victory in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series.

The series is now tied 1-1 as the ICE won Friday's opener 5-3.

Brayden Yager scored twice for the Warriors, with Ryder Korczak, Martin Rysavy and Josh Hoekstra netting singles. Atley Calvert chipped in with two assists.

Zack Ostapchuk, Connor McClennon and Carson Latimer scored for the ICE, who outshot the visitors 36-20. Matthew Savoie added two assists. The ICE trimmed the early deficit to 4-3 with under four minutes left but could not score the equalizer.

The Warriors were 3-for-5 on the power play, while the ICE went 1-for-9.

Game 3 in the series is scheduled for Tuesday in Moose Jaw, Sask.

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THUNDERBIRDS 5 COUGARS 1

Seattle leads best-of-seven series 2-0

SEATTLE, Wash. — Jared Davidson scored twice and Brad Lambert scored once and added two assists as the Seattle Thunderbirds knocked off the visiting Prince George Cougars 5-1 to grab a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series.

Dylan Guenther and Kyle Crnkovic also scored for the Thunderbirds, who led 1-0 after the first period and 3-0 heading into the third.

Ondrej Becher scored for the Cougars, who were outshot 34-27. The Cougars lost Game 1 on Friday by a 4-1 decision.

Game 3 in the series is scheduled for Tuesday in Prince George, B.C.

POKE CHECKS: The Red Deer Rebels, who edged the Saskatoon Blades 3-1 on Friday, will play Game 2 of their best-of-seven series on Sunday in Saskatoon, Sask.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 15, 2023.