WHL Playoffs: Thunderbirds complete series comeback to eliminate Winterhawks

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Seattle Thunderbirds were all but written off after losing three of the first four games in their Western Hockey League playoff series against the Portland Winterhawks.

Needing to win three straight, including two on the road, seemed to be a big ask against a team that compiled 47 wins and 99 points during the regular season.

But, thanks to a 5-3 victory Tuesday night at Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the Thunderbirds are moving on to the Western Conference Final against the Kamloops Blazers.

Jeremy Hanzel scored twice for the T-Birds, with singles added by Nico Myatovic, Lucas Ciona, Lukas Svejkovsky and Reid Schaefer.

Robbie Fromm-Delorme had two goals for the Winterhawks, who outshot the visitors 36-29. Jaydon Dureau had the other Portland goal.

Portland swept the Prince George Cougars in the first round, while Seattle knocked out the Kelowna Rockets in five games.

The Edmonton Oil Kings travel to Winnipeg to play the ICE on Friday in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final.

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