FRIDAY DUB ROUND-UP
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Winterhawks built on the momentum of a strong start en route to a dominant 5-1 victory against Western Conference leader Seattle Thunderbirds on Friday.
Ryan McCleary, James Stefan, Marek Alscher, Marcus Nguyen and Jack O’Brien all scored for Portland (9-1-1-1). Dante Giannuzzi made 28 saves in the win.
Jordan Gustafson notched the lone goal for Seattle (10-2-0). Scott Ratzlaff stopped 27-of-31 shots for the Thunderbirds.
The Winterhawks jumped out to a 4-0 edge by the 14:01 mark of the second period when Stefan scored on a power play. Gustafson scored five minutes later only for Nguyen to add one last marker with an empty-netter for Portland.
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REBELS 4 BRONCOS 1
SWIFT CURRENT, SASK. – Kai Uchacz scored two goals as Red Deer (14-0-0) defeated Swift Current (6-8-0) to continue its impressive start to the season. Frantisek Formanek and Hunter Mayo added the other goals for the Rebels.
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SILVERTIPS 5 BLADES 3
SASKATOON – Ty Gibson scored two goals to lead Everett (10-5-0) to victory against Saskatoon (11-4-0). Austin Roest, Jackson Berezowski and Steel Quiring also scored for the Silvertips.
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AMERICANS 4 WHEAT KINGS 3 (OT)
BRANDON, MAN. – Lukas Dragicevic netted the game-winning goal in overtime period as Tri-City (7-8-0) pulled off the comeback to beat Brandon (6-8-2). The Americans were down 3-1 before making a run in the third period. Ethan Ernst scored the game-tying goal 15:15 into the frame.
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HITMEN 5 TIGERS 1
CALGARY – Riley Fiddler-Schultz recorded one goal and two assists as Calgary (8-4-1-1) cruised past Medicine Hat (4-7-3). Sean Tschigerl, with one goal and one assist, Ethan Moore, Oliver Tulk and Carter Yakemchuk also scored for the Hitmen.
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GIANTS 4 HURRICANES 3 (SO)
LETHBRIDGE, ALTA. – Jaden Lipinski and Samuel Honzek made good on their opportunities in the shootout leading Vancouver (6-7-2-2) Lethbridge (7-8-0-1). Lipinski and Honzek also scored in regulation, as well as Ty Thorpe for the Giants. Jesper Vikman made 44 saves in the win.
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COUGARS 7 CHIEFS 2
SPOKANE, WA. – Chase Wheatcroft scored two goals to lead the charge as Prince George (8-7-0) topped Spokane (3-9-0). The Cougars turned a 1-1 game midway through the first into a 5-1 contest by 18:17 into the second period to put the game out of reach.
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WARRIORS 3 RAIDERS 2
PRINCE ALBERT, SASK. – Jagger Firkus scored a short-handed game-winning goal to lift Moose Jaw (9-5-0) past Prince Albert (4-10-2). Riley Ginnell scored the game-tying goal just 1:06 before Firkus’ goal in the third period.
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OIL KINGS 4 ROYALS 3 (OT)
EDMONTON – Rhett Melnyk knocked in the game-winning goal in overtime period as Edmonton (2-12-1) held off Victoria’s comeback effort to win. Down 3-1 late in the second, the Royals (3-12-3) scored at 19:20 in the second and 3:56 in the third to tie the game up.
(Canadian Press)
