PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — Taylor Gauthier made 29 saves to help the Portland Winterhawks preserve a 2-1 victory over the Prince George Cougars and complete the 4-0 sweep in their WHL first-round playoff series Wednesday.
James Stefan and Luke Schelter scored Portland's goals in the series-clinching victory.
Tyler Brennan stopped 40 shots for the Cougars in defeat.
Stefan and Schelter both scored in the first period before Jonny Hooker responded for Prince George at the 6:55 mark of the second period to make the game 2-1.
That would be it for scoring, however as both goalies shut the door from there on out.
Next up for the Winterhawks will be the winner between the Kamloops Blazers and Spokane Chiefs series in the second round. The Blazers lead that series 3-0.
In other WHL playoff action Wednesday, the Kelowna Rockets beat the Seattle Thunderbirds 3-2 in overtime as they now trail in their series 3-1, the Saskatoon Blades avoided elimination in their series with the Moose Jaw Warriors with a 5-3 win as their series also stands at 3-1, the Brandon Wheat Kings beat the Red Deer Rebels 3-1 to even up their series at 2-2, the Prince Albert Raiders downed the Winnipeg Ice 3-1 to avoid elimination with their series at 3-1 now and the Everett Silvertips took a 2-1 series lead over the Vancouver Giants with a 6-2 thrashing.
