Wheat Kings explode to take Game 1 over Hitmen

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Brandon's Ivan Provorov led all defencemen in scoring this season. (Marissa Baecker/Getty)

BRANDON, Man. — John Quenneville scored twice and tacked on three assists as the Brandon Wheat Kings toppled the Calgary Hitmen 9-4 on Friday in Game 1 of the Western Hockey League’s Eastern Conference final.

Braylon Schmyr added a pair of goals for the Wheat Kings, who also got a goal and two helpers from Tim McGauley.

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Jayce Hawryluk, Peter Quenneville and Morgan Klimchuk each had a goal and an assist for Brandon as Nolan Patrick added a since goal to round out the offence. Rihards Bukarts and Eric Roy tacked on three assists apiece.

Pavel Karnaukhov, Beck Malenstyn, Jake Virtanen and Carson Twarynski found the back of the net for the Hitmen.

Jordan Papirny made 34 saves for the Wheat Kings. Mack Shields started in net for Calgary but was yanked after allowing four goals on 19 shots in 32:17 of action. Brendan Burke turned aside 17-of-22 shots in relief.

Brandon went 3 for 9 on the power play while the Hitmen scored once on six chances with the man advantage.

Game 2 goes Saturday in Brandon.


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ROCKETS 3 WINTERHAWKS 2

KELOWNA, B.C. — Jackson Whistle made 30 saves as the Rockets erased a two-goal deficit to beat Portland in their Western Conference final opener.

Madison Bowey and Justin Kirkland scored 46 seconds apart early in the second for Kelowna before Rourke Chartier netted the eventual winner later in the period.

Oliver Bjorkstrand and Adam Henry struck in the first period to give the Winterhawks a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of action. Adin Hill kicked out 43-of-46 shots in defeat.

The Rockets welcome Portland on Saturday for Game 2.

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