Saturday . . .

C Mikael Backlund, picked by Kelowna in the CHL import draft, won't play for the Rockets this season. The 18-year-old Swede was taken 24th overall by Calgary in the NHL's 2007 draft and is in the Flames' camp. He told the Calgary Herald that he will return to Vasteras and play a third season in the Swedish second division. "I said no (to the Rockets)," Backlund said. "I still want to be at home this year." . . .

SATURDAY’S GAMES
Regina 4, Saskatoon 2 -- The visiting Pats got three goals from Jared Jagow as they improved to 3-1. Colten Teubert also scored for Regina. The Blades, with 15 rookies in the lineup, got goals from Derek Hulak and Mitch Berg. Regina, which held a 34-23 edge in shots, went with Jeff Bosch in goal, while the Blades, who are 0-2, used Adam Morrison. Regina was 1-for-5 on the PP; the Blades were 0-for-7.

Brandon 4, Swift Current 3 -- Veteran Daniel Bartek led the host Wheat Kings (1-0) with two goals and an assist, while Jay Fehr and Sanfred King each scored shorthanded goals. Spencer McAvoy, Geordie Wudrick and Cody Eakin replied for the Broncos (3-2). Ian Curtis went the distance in the Broncos' net, turning aside 24 shots, while the Brandon tandem of Joe Caligiuri and Deven Dubyk combined to make 18 saves. On the PP, Brandon was 1-for-9, while the Broncos were 1-for-6.

Medicine Hat 6, Kootenay 1 -- Colton Grant’s two goals led the visiting Tigers (1-0), who also got goals from Josh Koper, Killian Hutt, Brennan Bosch and John Stampohar. Kootenay's Luke Wiens scored on a third-period power play. Tomas Vosvrda started in goal for Medicine Hat and stopped all 13 shots he saw. Alex Wright finished up with 11 saves on 12 shots. Kootenay (1-1) started Nathan Lieuwen, who stopped 15 of 18 shots, with Thomas Heemskerk coming on for the second half and stopping nine of 12 shots.

Kamloops 4, Prince George 3 -- The Blazers, who erased a 3-0 deficit and won 6-3 Friday in Prince George, came from behind 2-0 to post their fourth victory in five games. The visiting Cougars fell to 1-4 in their last exhibition game. Tyler Shattock, with two, Ivan Rohac and Travis Dunstall scored for Kamloops, which got nine points from the line of Shattock, Dunstall and centre Brock Nixon. Greg Gardner, Jordie Deagle and Dale Hunt counted for the Cougars. Kamloops went with Dustin Butler (15-13) and Jon Groenhyde (11-10) in goal, while the Cougars countered with Real Cyr (18-16) and Joel Danyluk (17-15). The Cougars were 1-for-7 on the power play; the Blazers were 0-for-4.

Lethbridge 3, Red Deer 2 -- Daniel Iwanski had a goal and an assist for the host Hurricanes (1-1). Adam Chorneyko and Adam Matlock also scored for Lethbridge, the latter breaking a 2-2 tie. Red Deer, which had trailed 2-0, got power-play goals from Cass Mappin and Tomas Polak. Mike Maniago started in goal for the Hurricanes and stopped nine of 11 shots; Finnish G Juha Metsola (6-6) finished up. Red Deer opened with Morgan Clark (10-8) and finished with Travis Rolheiser (15-14). Lethbridge was 3-for-6 on the PP; Red Deer was 2-for-10.

Edmonton 5, Calgary 2 (at Okotoks) -- The expansion Oil Kings (3-1) won the first road game in franchise history as goaltender Alex Archibald stopped 31 shots. Brenden Dowd, Clayton Cumiskey, J-P Szaszkiewicz, Craig McCallum, with his fifth of the preseason, and Brett Breitkreuz scored for Edmonton. Michael Stone and Brett Plouffe counted for the Hitmen (1-2). Calgary used Dan Spence (12-11) and Martin Jones (20-16) in goal.

Kelowna 6, Vancouver 3 -- The Giants had their 20-game preseason unbeaten streak come to an end in Kelowna. Miles MacRae, with three, and James McEwan, with two, and Evan Bloodoff scored for Kelowna (1-4). James Henry, Lance Bouma and Craig Cunningham replied for Vancouver (4-1-1). Vancouver outshot Kelowna 29-26, with the Rockets’ Kris Westblom and the Giants’ Kraymer Barnstable going the distance. Vancouver was 1-for-7 on the PP; the Rockets were 2-for-6.

TRI-CITY TOURNAMENT
Spokane 5, Tri-City 4 (OT) -- Drayson Bowman had a goal and three assists, including one on the winner, as the Chiefs ran their record to 5-0. Jace Coyle got the winner at 2:07 of OT. David Rutherford, Burke Gallimore and Tyler Johnson also scored for Spokane, which rallied from a 3-1 deficit. Peter Stoklasa’s goal at 13:18 of the third period forced the extra session. Dustin Tokarski, in his first appearance of the preseason, went the distance in goal for Spokane, making 29 saves.

Portland 7, Everett 6 (OT) -- Tyler Swystun’s power-play goal at 1:20 of OT won it for the Winter Hawks, who got four goals from veteran centre Nick Hotson, 20, and singles from Tristan King, Nick Hotson and Matt Sokol. Portland got 10 points from the line of Hotson, King, who also had two assists, and Matt Schmermund, who drew three helpers. Luke Walker, the son of former Winter Hawks star Gord Walker, got an assist on the winner. Brennan Sonne, Kyle Beach, Matt Ius, Jesse Burt and Lukas Vartovnik replied for Everett. Portland split its goaltending between Kurtis Mucha (14-10) and Jordan White (18-15); Shayne Barrie stopped 22 shots in Everett’s goal. Portland was 2-for-9 with the man advantage; Everett was 3-for-15.