WHL Roundup: We’re going streaking!
A wise man once said, “We’re going streaking!”
Okay, so maybe he wasn’t exactly wise, but it goes without saying he knew how to have a good time.
The Vancouver Giants and Everett Silvertips knocked off their fourth consecutive victories Saturday night, while the Swift Current Broncos beat up on the Kelowna Rockets to collect a third straight win and remain undefeated in regulation through their previous six contests.
Adam Brooks continued to pile up the points, mustering a four-point effort as the Regina Pats piled on to Hurricanes in Lethbridge.
Toss in three overtime outings and some shootout shenanigans, you’ve got yourself a full cup of fun on a Saturday night in the Western Hockey League…
Red Deer Rebels (2) at Kootenay ICE (1) – OT
Red Deer (5-3-1-1) // Kootenay (1-5-3-1)
Colton Bobyk scored with only 17 seconds remaining in overtime as the Red Deer Rebels squeaked out a 2-1 victory against the Kootenay ICE in Cranbrook Saturday night.
A night after making more than 50 saves against the Regina Pats, hometown boy Payton Lee was busy once again, facing 37 shots from the visiting Rebels. Lee, 20, was named third star for his efforts. Despite a 1-1-2-1 record, the veteran WHL goaltender has been rock solid for the ICE, posting a 2.87 goals-against average (GAA) and .929 save percentage (SP) through seven outings in 2016-17.
At the other end of the rink, Riley Lamb took care of his own cage, steering aside 20 shots to collect his fifth victory of the season.
Regina Pats (7) at Lethbridge Hurricanes (2)
Regina (6-0-3-0) // Lethbridge (5-3-1-1)
Well, it’s safe to say Adam Brooks has made his return known.
The Pats’ captain, who was sent back to Regina by the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs earlier this week, registered a four-point night, including three assists to fuel his club to a resounding 7-2 triumph Saturday in Lethbridge.
In three games since landing back in Regina, the 20-year-old product of Winnipeg now has three goals and seven points to his name.
Outside of the seven-goal shellacking, the Pats hammered the ‘Canes net with a whopping 49 shots. Stuart Skinner faced 43 of those, surrendering six goals along the way. Ryan Gilchrist eventually came on in relief, making five saves on six shots.
Brooks’ performance was worthy of a first-star selection, but it wasn’t the only standout effort on the night.
Ottawa Senators prospect Filip Ahl worked in a goal and two assists, as did defenceman Chase Harrison.
Tyler Brown blocked 33 of 35 shots to collect his third win of the year.
The Pats are now the last remaining @CHLHockey team without a regulation loss this season #JoinTheRegiment
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) October 16, 2016
RECAP: Pats score seven unanswered and win big in Lethbridge. Details here: https://t.co/6xlyffXxry#JoinTheRegiment pic.twitter.com/ZHKGln1E1q
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) October 16, 2016
Brandon Wheat Kings (4) at Prince Albert Raiders (3) – OT
Brandon (3-3-2-0) // Prince Albert (3-5-1-0)
Ty Lewis propelled the Brandon Wheat Kings to a 4-3 overtime win, scoring his fourth of the season two minutes into the extra period of play Saturday night against the Prince Albert Raiders.
Simon Stransky did everything he could to carry the Raiders, scoring two goals and an assist. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough for Prince Albert to get a win on home ice in the backend of a home-and-home series with the Wheaties.
Defenceman Garrett Sambrook, 16, continued a strong start to his rookie season by posting a goal and an assist for the Wheat Kings.
Jordan Papirny put away 35 pucks for his second victory of the campaign, while Ian Scott took the loss for the Raiders.
Also, a big congrats to @jordanpapirny on his 100th victory in the #WHL regular season! #Paps #BWK pic.twitter.com/1Sn6xF0qAa
— Brandon Wheat Kings (@bdnwheatkings) October 16, 2016
Vancouver Giants (2) at Medicine Hat Tigers (1) – OT
Vancouver (5-7-0-0) // Medicine Hat (6-3-1-0)
Radovan Bondra scored 1:49 into overtime and Ryan Kubic made 36 saves as the Vancouver Giants edged the Medicine Hat Tigers by a 2-1 margin to collect a fourth consecutive victory, and continue their push up the B.C. Division standings.
After starting the campaign 1-7-0-0 and in the cellar of the B.C. Division, the Giants headed east and have done serious work through the Central Division and now sit 5-7-0-0, which is good enough for second place behind the upstart Prince George Cougars (9-2-0-0).
Bondra scores off of a pass from @semchuk27 in overtime!!! Giants win!!!!!! #BeAGiant
— #BeAGiant (@WHLGiants) October 16, 2016
Seattle Thunderbirds (2) at Everett Silvertips (3)
Seattle (2-4-0-1) // Everett (8-1-1-0)
The Everett Silvertips continued to cruise Saturday night, defeating the Seattle Thunderbirds 3-2 to win a fourth straight outing.
The ‘Tips receiving scoring from Bryce Kindopp and a pair from Riley Sutter, all in the opening 20 minutes of play, to put the T-Birds away early.
Sami Moilanen and Turner Ottenbreit turned up the comeback effort for Seattle, though it ultimately fell short as Carter Hart made 23 saves for his fifth win of the season.
Don’t blame any Tips for going face first into the pillow tonight, 4 wins in 5 days: incredible. 8-1-1 best start since ’06. #HowSweetItis
— Mike Benton (@Benton_Mike) October 16, 2016
Swift Current Broncos (5) at Kelowna Rockets (1)
Swift Current (7-2-0-1) // Kelowna (3-7-0-0)
The Swift Current Broncos converted on three of their four power-play opportunities and Tyler Steenbergen found the back of the net twice to help the cause in a 5-1 win over the Kelowna Rockets.
The win goes into the books as the third in a row for Swift Current, which is also undefeated in regulation over its past six contests, having only dropped a 4-3 shootout decision to the Brandon Wheat Kings.
Aleksi Heponiemi, Colby Sissons and Glenn Gawdin all helped the cause, chipping in a goal and an assist each.
Taz Burman blocked 25 pucks for his third win of the season.
Portland Winterhawks (3) at Spokane Chiefs (2) – SO
Portland (8-3-0-0) // Spokane (2-4-1-1)
Dawson Weatherill made yet another outstanding save on an odd-man rush to give his team a second chance in overtime, but it wasn’t enough as Caleb Jones eventually scored the deciding goal in the shootout to give the Portland Winterhawks a 3-2 win Saturday night.
Goaltender Cole Kehler made 29 saves, plus another three in the shootout to claim his sixth triumph.
Check out the game at a glance presented by @toyota for tonight’s 3-2 SO win in Spokane! pic.twitter.com/GxHZeAxM4g
— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) October 16, 2016
Prince George Cougars (5) at Tri-City Americans (2)
Prince George (10-2-0-0) // Tri-City (5-4-0-0)
Brogan O’Brien and Jesse Gabrielle each had a goal and an assist, while defenceman Sam Ruopp registered three helpers as the Prince George Cougars knocked off the Tri-City Americans by a 5-2 score Saturday night.
The gave the Cougars back-to-back wins after back-to-back losses to the Everett Silvertips earlier this week.
COUGARS WIN!
The final from the Tri-Cities 5-2! The Cougars are the first team in the WHL with 10 wins! 3 pts for @_Ruopp2! See you soon PG!— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) October 16, 2016
Sunday in the WHL
Moose Jaw Warriors at Calgary Hitmen
