BRANDON, Man. — The top team in Canadian junior hockey has clinched a playoff berth.
The Prince Albert Raiders locked up a spot in the Western Hockey League’s post-season when the Saskatoon Blades downed the Brandon Wheat Kings 7-3.
Prince Albert has the best record in the Canadian Hockey League (43-7-2) and has been ranked in the Top 10 for 17 weeks.
Kirby Dach scored a hat trick for Saskatoon (31-13-8) with Max Gerlach and Eric Florchuk both striking twice.
Stelio Mattheos, Luka Burzan and Cole Reinhardt had goals for the Wheat Kings (22-21-7).
Dorrin Luding kicked out 25 shots for the win in net as Ethan Kruger made 30 saves for Brandon.
The Blades went 2-for-3 with the man advantage and Brandon went 3-for-6.
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PATS 2 HURRICANES 1 (SO)
LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — Ty Kolle and Sergei Alkhimov scored in the shootout as Regina topped the Hurricanes to snap a three-game skid.
Blake Allan found the back of the net in regulation for the Pats (14-35-3).
Taylor Ross scored for Lethbridge (27-15-9).
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GIANTS 4 COUGARS 2
PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — Justin Sourdif had the winner as Vancouver doubled up the Cougars.
Davis Koch, Owen Hardy and Bowen Byram rounded out the attack for the Giants (34-13-3).
Josh Curtis and Vladislav Mikhalchuk scored for Prince George (16-30-5), which dropped its 10th in a row.
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AMERICANS 5 WINTERHAWKS 3
KENNEWICK, Wash. — Connor Bouchard had a pair of goals as the Americans downed Portland.
Parker AuCoin, Samuel Huo and Nolan Yaremko supplied the rest of the offence for Tri-City (27-19-3).
Jaydon Dureau, Josh Paterson and Jared Freadrich scored for the Winterhawks (32-15-5).
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THUNDERBIRDS 5 ROYALS 3
VICTORIA — Matthew Wedman scored twice as Seattle toppled the Royals.
Cade McNelly had the winner with Jake Lee and Owen Williams also scoring for the Thunderbirds (20-24-6).
Kaid Oliver, Kody McDonald and Scott Walford had goals for Victoria (25-21-3).
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