WHEAT KINGS, THUNDERBIRDS UP 2-0
WHEAT KINGS 6 REBELS 4
BRANDON, Man. – Nolan Patrick had two goals and two assists and Jayce Hawryluk added four helpers as the Brandon Wheat Kings downed the Red Deer Rebels 6-4 on Saturday in Game 2 of the Western Hockey League’s East final.
Brandon now leads the best-of-seven set 2-0, with the series heading to Red Deer for Game 3 on Monday.
Tim McGauley, Kale Clague, Tyler Coulter and John Quenneville also scored for the Wheat Kings, who got a 29-save outing from Jordan Papirny.
Luke Philp led the Rebels offence with a goal and two assists while Jake DeBrusk, Haydn Fleury and Colton Bobyk had the others. Rylan Toth kicked out 34-of-39 shots in defeat.
Brandon went 1 for 4 on the power play as Red Deer scored once on five chances with the man advantage.
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THUNDERBIRDS 3 ROCKETS 2
KELOWNA, B.C. – Scott Eansor scored twice – including the go-ahead goal at 16:54 of the third period – as Seattle edged the Rockets in Game 2 for a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference final.
Mathew Barzal also found the back of the net for the Thunderbirds. Landon Bow made 28 saves for the win.
Cole Linaker and Rourke Chartier struck for Kelowna. Michael Herringer stopped 24-of-27 shots in a losing cause.
Seattle hosts Game 3 on Monday.
(Canadian Press)
Can't believe the Seattle Thunderbirds are up 2-0 on the road. I did expect the Rebels to lose to Brandon though (just because Red Deer is automatically in the Memorial Cup this season)
I'm surprised Kelowna is staying that close to Seattle. Seattle much better than Kelowna with Whistle & Merkley injured. Kelowna lucky to get past Victoria.
The two games in Brandon could have went either way. Red Deer is pushing the Wheat Kings like they have not been to this point. The Rebels are big and a have also stood up to any of Brandon's more aggressive players. The difference has been the low success of Red Dee's power play and that the Wheat Kings are capitalizing when they get a break or Red Deer makes mistakes. Sutter has a good team but they just do not seem to have the same kind of players like McCrummon who find a way to score. If Red Deer… Read more »