WHL Round-Up

Press Release

CHIEFS AND AMERICANS ADVANCE – The Spokane Chiefs and the Tri-City Americans are bound for the second round of the 2009 WHL Playoffs after both teams claimed victories on Saturday night to win their respective Conference quarter-final series’.

AMERICANS 6, SILVERTIPS 1

Jordan Messier scored two goals to lead the Tri-City Americans to a 6-1 victory over the visiting Everett Silvertips in Game 5 of their Kal Tire WHL Western Conference quarter-final series on Saturday, March 28th.

With the victory, the Americans win the best-of-seven series four games to one and move on to the Kal Tire WHL Western Conference semi-final to face the Kelowna Rockets.

Taylor Procyshen – with a goal and an assist – Mitch McColm, Jason Reese and Brooks Macek also scored for the Americans, who move on to the second round of the playoffs for the second straight season, while Mitch Fadden chipped in three assists. Chet Pickard made 26 saves to record the victory.

Kellan Tochkin scored the only goal for the Silvertips, who allowed the game’s first six goals before getting on the board early in the third period. Thomas Heemskerk made 33 saves in a losing cause. With the loss, the ‘Tips are eliminated from the playoffs.

Tri-Cities wins best-of-seven series 4-1.

Game Summary


CHIEFS 5, THUNDERBIRDS 3

Drayson Bowman scored twice and set up another to lead the Spokane Chiefs to a 5-3 win over the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds in Game 5 of their Kal Tire WHL Western Conference quarter-final series on Saturday.

With the victory, the Chiefs win the best-of –seven series four games to one and advance to the Kal Tire WHL Western Conference semi-final to face the Vancouver Giants.

Mitch Wahl notched a goal and two assists and Brady Calla and Justin McCrae each added singles for the Chiefs, who win their fifth consecutive WHL Playoff series, dating back to last season. Dustin Tokarski made 31 saves to earn the win.

Thomas Hickey – with a goal and an assist – Colin Jacobs and Prab Rai scored for the Thunderbirds, who went 1-for-7 on the power play in the contest, while Greg Scott chipped in three assists. Calvin Pickard made 30 saves in a losing cause. With the defeat, the T-Birds are eliminated from the playoffs.

Spokane wins best-of-seven series 4-1.

Game Summary


HUSKY WHL EASTERN CONFERENCE

Zach Boychuk scored the winner and chipped in an assist as the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes topped the Saskatoon Blades 3-1 in Game five of their Husky WHL Eastern Conference quarter-final series on Saturday.

Colton Sceviour and Kyle Beach also scored for the Hurricanes, who failed to convert on seven power plays but scored once while shorthanded. Juha Metsola turned in a 31-save effort to record the victory.

Derek Hulak scored the only goal for the Blades, who drop their second straight game of the series to fall behind two games to three. Braden Holtby made 28 saves in a losing cause.

The Hurricanes host Game 6 of the best-of-seven series on Monday, March 30th, in Lethbridge, AB.

Hurricanes lead best-of-seven series 3-2.

Game Summary

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