The Portland Winterhawks have advanced to the WHL Western Conference final for the 5th straight season. The Winterhawks edged the Everett Silvertips 3-2 to win that second round series 4-1.
Portland will visit the Kelowna Rockets Friday. The Eastern Conference final will also open Friday with the Calgary Hitmen at the Brandon Wheat Kings.
–Only three of the 12 WHL playoff series have needed more than five games to determine a winner. All 4 Conference semis ended in five games.
–Canada and Finland are both 3-0 and will face each other Tuesday (6:45am Pacific) at the World Under-18 Hockey Championship in Switzerland. On the weekend, Canada edged the Czech Republic 3-2 (Sunday) and beat Switzerland 4-1 (Saturday).
Jansen Harkins of the Prince George Cougars notched an assist against the Swiss and has two points in three tournament games.
Quarter-finals will be played Thursday with the semis Saturday and the medal games on Sunday.
–The UNBC Timberwolves Female and Male Athletes of the Year are graduating players Sidney Roy (Soccer) and Franco Kouagnia (Basketball). Roy set a new women’s soccer and university record for goals in a season with six. Roy is also the all-time goal scorer for the Timberwolves women’s soccer program with 13 goals in three seasons.
Kouagnia was named a Canada West Second Team All-Star after he helped lead the Timberwolves to a 12-8 regular season record, and UNBC’s first playoff appearance since joining Canada West in 2012. Kouagnia averaged 16.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
–Nine Prince George runners are in the field for the 119th annual Boston Marathon.
–Inner City boxer Kenny Lally is in San Juan, Puerto Rico where he will fight this week at the Cheo Aponte Cup tournament.
Photo: Courtesy of Portland Winterhawks