The Lethbridge Hurricanes have joined the Regina Pats, Kelowna Rockets and Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL Conference Finals.
The ‘Canes came back in dramatic fashion, scoring shorthanded in the first overtime period of Game Seven to beat the Medicine Hat Tigers 5-4 Tuesday night. Lethbridge took the series 4-3 with the road team winning five of the seven games.
Veteran right-winger and Hurricanes captain Tyler Wong potted the game-winner, his second goal of the game, 3:02 into the extra frame, sending Lethbridge into its first Eastern Conference Final since 2008.
.@WHLHurricanes advance to Eastern Conf. Championship series following an electrifying 7 game series w/ @tigershockey. #MHvsLET #WHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/iaE5YgeQyD
— #WHLPlayoffs (@TheWHL) April 19, 2017
They’ll face the Pats and will look for redemption after being eliminated by Regina in the first round of last year’s playoffs.
The two clubs will begin their series Friday in the Saskatchewan capital.
WHL EASTERN FINAL:
Game | Visitor | Home | Date | Time
1 | Lethbridge @ Regina = Friday, April 21 @ 6:00
2 | Lethbridge @ Regina = Saturday, April 22 @ 6:00
3 | Regina @ Lethbridge = Tuesday, April 25 @ 6:00
4 | Regina @ Lethbridge = Wednesday, April 26 @ 6:00
*5 | Lethbridge @ Regina = Friday, April 28 @ 6:00
*6 | Regina @ Lethbridge = Sunday, April 30 @ 5:00
*7 | Lethbridge @ Regina = Tuesday, May 2 @ 6:00
(*IF NECESSARY)
The Kelowna Rockets and Seattle Thunderbirds will begin on Friday as well in a rematch of 2016’s West Final clash.
WHL WESTERN FINAL:
Game | Visitor | Home | Date | Time
1 | Kelowna @ Seattle = Friday, April 21 @ 7:35
2 | Kelowna @ Seattle = Saturday, April 22 @ 7:05
3 | Seattle @ Kelowna = Tuesday, April 25 @ 7:05
4 | Seattle @ Kelowna = Wednesday, April 26 @ 7:05
*5 | Kelowna @ Seattle = Friday, April 28 @ 7:35
*6 | Seattle @ Kelowna = Sunday, April 30 @ 5:05
*7 | Kelowna @ Seattle = Tuesday, May 2 @ 7:05
(*IF NECESSARY)
BCHL FRED PAGE CUP:
UPDATE Wednesday night:
The Penticton Vees erased a 3-0 deficit to edge
the Chilliwack Chiefs 4-3 in overtime Wednesday
to take a 3-1 series lead in the Fred Page Cup
final.
Ryley Risling scored at 2:06 of OT. Game
five will go Saturday in Chilliwack.
Both teams have a berth in the Western
Canada Cup.
Earlier Story below:
The Penticton Vees scored three unanswered goals in the third period of Game Three to beat the Chilliwack Chiefs 5-2 Tuesday and take a 2-1 series lead in the BCHL Finals.
Vees’ Forwards Grant Cruikshank and Chris Klack each tallied a goal and an assist in Tuesday night’s victory at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Other scorers for the Western Canada Cup hosts included Massimo Rizzo, Gabe Bast, and Jared Nash; Chiefs’ Captain Jordan Kawaguchi netted both of Chilliwack’s goals within a five-minute span of the second period.
Penticton goaltender Mathew Robson made 17 saves for his 10th win of the 2017 playoffs, while Chilliwack netminder Mark Sinclair was kept busy, facing a total of 30 shots.
Former Prince George Cougars’ Assistant Coach Jason Becker is an assistant coach with the Vees.
Vees win 5-2 and take a 2 Games to 1 lead in the best of 7 championship series. Game 4 tomorrow at 7pm. @SOEC box office opens at 10am pic.twitter.com/B2m1ZvMOYq
— Penticton Vees (@PentictonVees) April 19, 2017