Saturday . . .

THE MacBETH REPORT: F Byron Ritchie (Lethbridge, 1993-96) was one of seven foreign players released by Dynamo Minsk (Belarus, KHL) on Friday. He had three goals and two assists in 12 games for Dynamo this season. . . .
F Eric Johansson (Tri-City, 1998-2002) was released by Leksand
(Sweden Allsvenskan). Johansson, who holds dual Canadian and Swedish
citizenship, had 14 goals and 17 assists in 49 games this season.
Leksand finished fourth in the 10-game qualifying series to win
promotion to Sweden's top league, Elitserien, finishing two points
out of the second and last promotion spot. . . .
Ceske Budejovice (Czech Republic Extraliga) announced the signing of
a number of players to one-year contracts, including three former
WHLers — twin brothers Michal (Medicine Hat, Kootenay, 2005-06) and
Roman Psurny (Medicine Hat, 2004-06), and Jakub Langhammer (Spokane,
2002-04). Playing this season with Slovan Usti nad Labem (Czech
Republic 2.Liga), Michal Psurny had 14 goals and 21 assists in 43
games, while Roman Psurny had 23 goals and 15 assists in 37 games.
Langhammer had 13 goals and 10 assists in 48 games for Sparta Prague
(Czech Republic Extraliga) this season.
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WHL PLAYOFFS
FOURTH ROUND
CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
(Ed Chynoweth Cup)
Calgary (1E) vs. Tri-City (1W)
(Calgary leads best-of-7 series 2-0))
(all times local)
Friday: Tri-City 0 at Calgary 7 (10,980)
Saturday: Tri-City 1 at Calgary 4 (10,049)
Tuesday: Calgary at Tri-City, 7:05 p.m.
Wednesday: Calgary at Tri-City, 7:05 p.m.
x-May 7: Tri-City at Calgary, 7 p.m.
x-May 9: Calgary at Tri-City, 5:05 p.m.
x-May 10: Tri-City at Calgary, 7 p.m.
x — if necessary.
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SATURDAY:
In Calgary, the Hitmen dumped the Tri-City Americans 4-1 to take a 2-0 lead in the WHL’s championship final. . . . The teams now head for Kennewick, Wash., and games on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. . . . The Hitmen have beaten the Americans three times this season, outscoring them 14-1 in the process. . . . For the second time in two nights, the Hitmen drove Tri-City G Drew Owsley to the bench. This time, he left at 3:53 of the second period, having surrendered three goals on 15 shots. . . . Calgary F Joel Broda scored his WHL-leading 13th goal at 10:11 of the first period. . . . The Hitmen took a 3-0 lead on second-peiod goals 1:13 apart by D Peter Kosterman, at 2:40, and F Del Cowan, at 3:53. . . . The goal was Kosterman’s first WHL playoff score. . . . In fact, it was the Calgary natives’ first WHL goal. He didn’t score in two games in 2008-09 or in 37 games this regular season. This was his four game of these playoffs. . . . Cowan left late with an apparent injury to his right leg. . . . Tri-City F Johnny Lazo got his side to within two at 4:34 of the second period. . . . Calgary’s Tyler Fiddler concluded the scoring at 17:06 of the third. . . . Attendance was 10,049. . . . Calgary G Martin Jones stopped 21 shots. . . . Tri-City was 0-for-7 on the PP; the Hitmen were 0-for-4. . . . Referees were Chris Savage and Pat Smith. They chose to toss Tri-City F Brendan Shinnimin with a checking-from-behind major for a hit on Calgary F Brandon Kozun at 6:34 of the second period. The penalty will be reviewed by the WHL office but a major/game misconduct seemed a bit much as there didn’t seem to be much intent on Shinnimin’s behalf, so it’s doubtful a suspension will be issued. . . . Kozun picked up two assists. He leads the playoffs with 30 points.
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A few more bloodlines from Thursday’s bantam draft, these courtesy of Greg Harder of the Regina Leader-Post: D Joel Topping (2nd, 41st, Lethbridge) is the brother of Chilliwack D Mitch Topping. . . . F Josh Sinatynski (4th, 70th, Swift Current) is the brother of Brandon F Jesse Sinatynski . . . D Justin Toomey (7th, 145th, Vancouver) is the brother of Saskatoon F Travis Toomey . . . F Scott Feser (8th, 166th, Red Deer) is the brother of Tri-City F Justin Feser . . . D McKenzie Busenius (10th, 208th, Saskatoon) is the brother of Medicine Hat D Dylan Busenius.
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Pierre LeBrun of ESPN reiterated on Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday that Bill Gallacher, the owner of the Portland Winterhawks, is the front-runner to purchase the NHL’s Dallas Stars from Tom Hicks.
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The NAHL’s Alaska Avalanche has promoted assistant coach Brian Huebel to head coach. He takes over from Dave Boltz, who will serve strictly as general manager.