KENNEWICK, Wash. – The Tri-City Americans inched closer to the top spot in the Western conference on Saturday night, beating the Kelowna Rockets 5-2 in Western Hockey League action.
The loss snaps the Rockets’ 10-game winning streak to start the season. They now sit four points ahead of the Americans in the standings.
Lucas Nickles scored twice for Tri-City (8-4-0) with Beau McCue, Braden Purtill and Parker Bowles also chipping in.
Tyrell Goulbourne opened the scoring at the nine-minute mark of the first period and Tomas Soustal added his first of the year to supply the Kelowna (10-1-0) offence.
Eric Comrie made 30 saves for the win while Jackson Whistle suffered the loss, turning away 23 shots.
The Americans were 1 for 2 on the power play while the Rockets failed to score on three opportunities.
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WHEAT KINGS 10 WINTERHAWKS 3
BRANDON, Man. — Jayce Hawryluk had four goals to lead the Wheat Kings to a dominant win over Portland.
Ivan Provorov, Kale Clague, Rihards Bukarts, Peter Quenneville, Nolan Patrick and Reid Duke supplied the rest of the Brandon (8-2-1) offence.
Chase De Leo scored twice while Dominic Turgeon added a goal for the Winterhawks (2-8-2).
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TIGERS 5 HITMEN 1
CALGARY — Chad Butcher struck twice for Medicine Hat en route to a win over the Hitmen.
Steven Owre, Alex Mowbray and Cole Sanford also found the back of the net for the Tigers (9-1-1).
Marshall Donald replied with his first goal of the year at 19:16 of the second period for Calgary (5-4-1).
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RAIDERS 4 REBELS 2
PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — The Raiders struck for four third-period goals to double up Red Deer.
Craig Leverton, Jayden Hart, Reid Gardiner and Matteo Gennaro scored for Prince Albert (4-6-0).
Haydn Fleury and Adam Musil found the back of the net for the Rebels (3-7-1).
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ROYALS 4 ICE 0
CRANBROOK, B.C. — Coleman Vollrath kicked out 27 shots for Victoria in their shutout victory over Kootenay.
Travis Brown, Logan Fisher, Axel Blomqvist and Brandon Fushimi all scored for the Royals (6-6-1).
Wyatt Hoflin made 25 saves for the Ice (3-7-0) in the loss.
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WARRIORS 4 BRONCOS 3
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — Jaimen Yakubowski scored his second of the game at 19:56 of the third period to put Moose Jaw ahead and secure the victory over the Broncos.
Brayden Point and Linden Penner also struck for the Warriors (6-4-1).
Tyler Steenbergen, Carter Rigby and Coda Gordon responded for Swift Current (6-7-1).
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PATS 6 HURRICANES 1
LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — Connor Gay had a goal and two assists in Regina’s win against the Hurricanes.
Colby Williams, Morgan Kilmchuk, Patrick D’Amico, Austin Wagner and Dryden Hunt also scored for the Pats (5-4-1).
Carter Folk scored for his first goal of the year in the first period for Lethbridge (1-8-1).
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OIL KINGS 6 BLADES 4
SASKATOON — Andrew Koep struck twice and added an assist in Edmonton’s victory over the Blades.
Blake Orban also scored twice for the Oil Kings (7-3-0) with Cole Benson and Dysin Mayo rounding out the attack.
Alex Forsberg had two goals for Saskatoon (3-7-0). Ryan Graham and Austin Adamson scored the others.
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GIANTS 9 COUGARS 1
VANCOUVER — Jackson Houck had a hat trick and added two assists to lead the Giants past Prince George.
Alec Baer also recorded a hat trick for Vancouver (6-4-0) with Matt Bellerive, Joel Hamilton and Carter Popoff adding single goals.
Chase Witala scored at 17:21 of the third period for the Cougars (7-5-0) to spoil the shutout bid.
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BLAZERS 5 THUNDERBIRDS 4 (OT)
KENT, Wash. — Ryan Rehill scored his first goal of the season at 4:46 of overtime to lead Kamloops past Seattle.
Matt Needham, Collin Shirley, Deven Sideroff and Patrik Maier rounded out the offence for the Blazers (7-5-1).
Mathew Barzal, Donovan Neuls, Nolan Volcan and Keegan Kolesar all had a goal for the Thunderbirds (4-5-2).
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SILVERTIPS 3 CHIEFS 2 (OT)
SPOKANE, Wash. — Ivan Nikolishin struck at 2:59 of overtime to give Everett the win over the Chiefs.
Patrick Bajkov and Brayden Low also scored for the Silvertips (6-0-3).
Keanu Yamamoto had two goals, including the equalizer at 16:52 of the third period, for Spokane (4-2-3).