THUNDERBIRDS SWEEP, WHEAT KINGS UP 3-1

THUNDERBIRDS 5 ROCKETS 4

KENT, Wash. – Michael Herringer could only keep Kelowna’s season going for so long.

Matthew Wedman beat Herringer with the eventual winner 7:52 into the second overtime – on Seattle’s 76th shot – as the Thunderbirds edged the Rockets 5-4 on Wednesday to sweep the Western Hockey League’s Western Conference final.

Herringer made 42 saves through regulation before turning away 29-of-30 shots in extra time. Meanwhile, Seattle’s Landon Bow only had to make 28 stops for the victory.

Justin Kirkland had a pair of goals and Rodney Southam and Tyson Baillie each scored once as Kelowna carried a 4-2 lead late into the third period, but Ethan Bear scored his second goal of the game at 18:45, then set up Keegan Kolesar’s tying goal with three seconds remaining in regulation.

Ryan Gropp also scored for the Thunderbirds and Mathew Barzal chipped in with three assists.

Seattle went 0 for 4 on the power play while Kelowna scored once on seven chances with the man advantage.

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WHEAT KINGS 4 REBELS 2

RED DEER, Alta. – Tim McGauley scored the go-ahead goal at 6:36 of the third period and Jordan Papirny made 34 saves as Brandon doubled up the Rebels 4-2 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final.

Macoy Erkamps, John Quenneville and Tanner Kaspick also scored for the Wheat Kings, who lead the best-of-seven set 3-1 and can wrap it up at home on Friday.

Grayson Pawlenchuk and Jake DeBrusk responded for Red Deer. Rylan Toth turned away 39-of-42 shots in a losing cause.

(Canadian Press)