Hitmen beat Blades, extend win streak to 8 games

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Jake Virtanen (Brad Watson/Calgary Hitmen/CP)

SASKATOON — Adam Tambellini scored his team-leading 38th goal of the season while shorthanded as the Calgary Hitmen extended their win streak to eight games by downing the host Saskatoon Blades 5-2 on Sunday in Western Hockey League action.

Tambellini’s goal gives him 64 points in 52 games — good enough for 10th in league scoring. His 38 goals ranks third, behind only Kelowna’s Rourke Chartier and Medicine Hat’s Cole Sanford, who both have 43 goals.

Kenton Helgesen and Keegan Kanzig had a goal and an assist apiece for the Hitmen (31-17-5) while Michael Zipp and Terrell Draude added the others.

Brett Stovin scored once for the Blades (15-34-3) and set up Josh Uhrich’s goal as well.

Calgary’s Mack Shields made 21 saves for the win as Nik Amundrud kicked out 32-of-37 shots for Saskatoon.

The Hitmen went 2 for 8 on the power play while the Blades failed to convert on four chances with the man advantage.

WHEAT KINGS 7, HURRICANES 2

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — Rihards Bukarts struck twice and Jordan Papirny made 23 saves as Brandon used a four-goal first period to topple the Hurricanes.

Quintin Lisoway, Peter Quenneville, Morgan Klimchuk, Tyler Coulter and Braylon Shmyr also scored for the Wheat Kings (41-9-5), who are 12-0-1 in their past 13 outings and one point up on Kelowna for top spot in the WHL.

Giorgio Estephan and Carter Folk supplied the offence for Lethbridge (15-32-6), which had its three-game win streak halted. Jayden Sittler allowed four goals on nine shots in 10:21 of action before giving way to Stuart Skinner, who stopped 43-of-46 shots in relief.

SILVERTIPS 4, WINTERHAWKS 3 (OT)

EVERETT, Wash. — Carson Stadnyk scored 1:34 into overtime and set up two more in regulation as the Silvertips slipped past Portland.

Kohl Bauml had two goals and an assist for Everett (34-16-4) and Dawson Leedahl tacked on a goal and an assist. Carter Hart made 30 saves for the win.

Oliver Bjorkstrand, Chase De Leo and Paul Bittner found the back of the net for the Winterhawks (31-20-4) while Adin Hill stopped 45 shots in defeat.

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