Wednesday, April 8, 2009

WHL Wednesday Preview

Press Release

DUSTIN TOKARSKI AND THE SPOKANE CHIEFS HOST TYSON SEXSMITH AND THE VANCOUVER GIANTS LIVE ON SHAW – Dustin Tokarski and the Spokane Chiefs welcome Tyson Sexsmith and the Vancouver Giants for Game 4 of their Kal Tire WHL Western Conference semi-final series on Wednesday, April 8th.

Wednesday night’s WHL Playoff contest between the Giants and Chiefs can be seen live throughout western Canada on SHAW (7:00pm PT).

The Chiefs pulled off a 5-2 win over the visiting Giants in Game 3 on Tuesday night in Spokane, but trail the best-of-seven series 1-2 after dropping the opening two games in Vancouver last weekend. Tuesday night’s victory marked the Chiefs’ first win in five games versus the Giants this season, counting two regular-season meetings. Goaltender Dustin Tokarski improved his all-time post-season record to 23-8-4 with Tuesday night’s win.

The Giants saw their six-game post-season winning streak snapped with Tuesday night’s loss in Spokane, but still hold a 2-1 lead over the Chiefs in the series. Tuesday’s loss marked the first time all season that the Giants have been held to less than 20 shots in a game. Netminder Tyson Sexsmith is 6-1 through seven post-season contests this year.

The Giants will host Game 5 of the best-of-seven series on Friday night in Vancouver, B.C.

In other Kal Tire WHL Western Conference action on Tuesday, Jamie Benn and the Kelowna Rockets host Mitch Fadden and the Tri-City Americans for Game 4 of their second-round series.

The Rockets skated to a 7-2 win over the Americans in Game 3 in Kelowna on Tuesday night, but still trail the best-of-seven series 2-1 after dropping the opening two games in Kennewick, WA, on the weekend. Jamie Benn picked up four points (1g, 3a) in Tuesday night’s win, giving him 27 points in 14 career post-season contests.

The Americans suffered their third loss of the season in Kelowna, counting the regular season, with Tuesday’s Game 3 defeat, but remain ahead in the best-of-seven series. The Americans allowed four power play goals in Tuesday night’s loss.

The Americans will host Game 5 of the best-of-seven series on Friday night in Kennewick, WA.

HUSKY WHL EASTERN CONFERENCE

Zach Boychuk and the Lethbridge Hurricanes host Tomas Karpov and the Calgary Hitmen for Game 4 of their Husky WHL Eastern Conference semi-final series on Wednesday night.

The Hurricanes fell 4-2 to the visiting Hitmen in Game 3 on Tuesday night, and now trail the best-of-seven series 0-3, meaning they need to win on Wednesday to avoid elimination. The Hurricanes have been outscored 13-4 through the first three games of the series.

The Hitmen find themselves holding a commanding 3-0 lead over the Hurricanes in the series, and can advance to the WHL Eastern Conference Championship series for a third straight season with a win in Lethbridge on Wednesday. Karpov has tallied two goals and five points through the first three games of the series versus the ‘Canes.

The Hurricanes host Game 5, if necessary, of the best-of-seven series on Friday in Lethbridge, AB.

In other Husky WHL Eastern Conference action on Wednesday, Andrew Clark and the Brandon Wheat Kings welcome Zdenek Okal and the Medicine Hat Tigers for Game 3 of their second-round match-up.

The Wheat Kings are coming off a pair of victories in Medicine Hat on the weekend to take a 2-0 best-of-seven series lead. Four of the remaining five games of the series will be played in Brandon.

The Tigers find themselves down 0-2 in the series after suffering 6-3 and 8-6 defeats to the visiting Wheat Kings on Saturday and Sunday. Zdenek Okal tallied three goals and an assist in the first period of Sunday’s 8-6 loss to the Wheaties.

The Wheat Kings will host Games 4 and 5, if necessary, of the series on Friday and Saturday in Brandon, MB.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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