PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — The Kelowna Rockets scored five goals in less than eight minutes in the second period en route to defeating the host Prince George Cougars 7-2 on Friday in Western Hockey League action.
Justin Kirkland, Tyson Baillie and Colton Heffley each had a pair of goals for the Rockets (2-0-0), while Tate Coughlin added a single.
David Soltes and Sam Ruopp responded for the Cougars (1-2-0).
Kelowna’s Jackson Whistle made 25 saves for the win. Ty Edmonds allowed five goals on 21 shots for Prince George and found himself on the bench for the third period. Tavin Grant stopped 9-of-11 shots in relief.
The Rockets went 2 for 6 on the power play while the Cougars scored once on three chances with the man advantage.
—
WHEAT KINGS 6, BLADES 3
BRANDON, Man. — Jayce Hawryluk scored two of Brandon’s four third-period goals as the Wheat Kings doubled up Saskatoon.
Rihards Bukarts and Ryan Pilon also scored in the third for Brandon (3-0-0) while Jesse Gabriel and Tim McGauley scored in the first. Jordan Papirny made 26 saves for the win.
Nelson Nogier, Alex Forsberg and Amil Krupic scored for the Blades (0-3-0) and Trevor Martin stopped 30-of-36 shots in defeat.
—
TIGERS 4, HITMEN 2
CALGARY — Marek Langhamer stopped 27 shots and Steven Owre and Alex Mowbray scored 53 seconds apart as Medicine Hat doubled up the Hitmen.
Miles Koules and Cole Sanford also scored for the Tigers (3-0-0) and Trevor Cox tacked on two assists.
Chase Lang and Adam Tambellini each had a goal and an assist for Calgary (0-2-0) while Mack Shields kicked out 29-of-33 shots in a losing cause.
—
OIL KINGS 5, BRONCOS 1
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — Tristan Jarry turned away 25 shots and Ashton Sautner’s goal early in the second period stood up as the winner as Edmonton toppled the Broncos.
Brayden Brown, Ben Carroll, Lane Bauer and Brett Pollock also scored for the Oil Kings (2-0-0) and Brandon Baddock chipped in with two assists.
Swift Current’s (2-1-0) Landon Bow stopped 36-of-41 shots in defeat. Coda Gordon scored the only goal for his club.
—
PATS 7, WARRIORS 1
MOOSE JAW, Sask. — Connor Gay had three goals and an assist and Tyler Fuhr made 31 saves as Regina crushed the Warriors.
Colby Williams, Patrick D’Amico, Sam Steel and Brady Reagan also scored for the Pats (1-2-0).
Brett Howden scored the lone goal for Moose Jaw (0-3-0). Justin Paulic allowed five goals on 13 shots before giving way to Zach Sawchenko, who stopped 25-of-27 shots in relief.
—
BLAZERS 8, ROYALS 2
VICTORIA — Deven Sideroff scored twice and Mike Winther and Cole Ully each had a goal and two assists as Kamloops crushed the Royals.
Jake Kryski, Jesse Shynkaruk, Josh Connolly and Michael Fora also scored for the Blazers (2-1-0) while Matt Revel and Matt Needham tacked on three assists apiece. Bolton Pouliot made 27 saves for the win.
Joe Hicketts and Jack Walker scored for Victoria (0-3-0). Coleman Vollrath gave up four goals on 19 shots in 41:24 of play before being relieved by Evan Smith, who stopped 10-of-14 shots in relief.
—
AMERICANS 3, THUNDERBIRDS 1
KENNEWICK, Wash. — Beau McCue’s goal 5:49 into the second period stood up as the winner as Tri-Cty defeated Seattle.
Justin Hamonic and Rodney Southam also scored for the Americans (2-1-0) while Eric Comrie turned aside 22 shots for the win.
Donovan Neuls supplied the offence for the Thunderbirds (1-2-0). Taran Kozun made 17 saves in a losing cause.
—
GIANTS 5, WINTERHAWKS 3
VANCOUVER — Vladimir Bobylev broke a 3-3 deadlock with the eventual winner 1:31 into the third period as the Giants beat Portland.
Dalton Sward, Tyler Benson, Joel Hamilton and Carter Popoff also scored for Vancouver (2-0-0) and Payton Lee made 23 saves for the win.
Chase De Leo, Keegan Iverson and Colton Veloso scored for the Winterhawks (0-3-0), who got a 43-save performance from Adin Hill.
