Two fans of the Red Deer Rebels
get married in Mexico.

THE MacBETH REPORT:F Max Brandl (Prince Albert, Portland, 2007-09) signed a one-year contract extension with the Landshut Cannibals (Germany, 2.Bundesliga). He had 11 goals and 19 assists in 47 games for the 2.Bundesliga champion Cannibals. . . .
D Ivan Barenka (Everett, 2003-05) signed a one-year contract with Salavat Yulaev Ufa (Russia, KHL). He had five goals and 16 assists in 47 games for Spartak Moscow (Russia, KHL), where he was an alternate captain for Spartak this season. . . .
F Tyler Maxwell (Everett, Edmonton, 2008-12) signed a one-year contract with Red Bull Salzburg (Austria, Erste Bank Liga). He had 37 goals and 34 assists in 66 games split between Everett and Edmonton this season. Nick Patterson of the Everett Herald has the story right here.
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The photo at the top of today’s entry was tweeted by Kasla Millar (@kayla_millar), along with this: “My husband and I got married in Mexico and look what we brought with us! #rebelpride”
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The U of Alberta has hired Ian Herbers as its latest hockey coach.
Herbers (Kelowna, Spokane, Lethbridge, Swift Current, 1984-88) is a former U of A player. He takes over from Stan Marple, who now is the program’s general manager. Marple coached one season after replacing Eric Thurston (Victoria, 1981-84).
Herbers has been coaching for nine seasons, the last three with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals. He took over as head coach early this season when Kirk Muller signed on as head coach with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes.
It was a desire to have the U of A position that ultimately cost Kris Knoblauch his head-coaching position with the WHL’s Kootenay Ice.
Knoblauch completed two season’s as the Ice’s head coach and, in fact, won the WHL’s 2011 championship in Cranbrook. When the U of A posted its head-coaching position, Marple contacted Knoblauch, who expressed an interest but had one year remaining on his contract with the Ice.
Chynoweth provided Knoblauch with a one-week window to explore the situation, but then was led to believe that Knoblauch would fulfil the terms of his contract. Chynoweth later gave Knoblauch a one-year extension, taking him through 2013-14.
It is worth noting that despite the fact Knoblauch was under contract, no one from the U of A contacted Chynoweth to ask for permission to speak with Knoblauch. (I am told that one U of A player has apologized to Chynoweth, via email, for the way all of this was handled.)
However, when Chynoweth learned Friday that Knoblauch was on the U of A’s shortlist and, in fact, was scheduled to be interviewed, he terminated his head coach’s contract.
(Evan Daum of the Edmonton Journal has more right here on how the U of A search for a head coach turned into something of a gong show.
(Robin Brownlee, over at oilersnation.com, says the whole thing doesn’t pass the smell test. That’s right here.)
At this point in time, there are two WHL teams without head coaches — the Ice and Brandon Wheat Kings, whose owner, Kelly McCrimmon, fired Cory Clouston earlier this month.
Clouston, of course, is a former Kootenay head coach, but don’t expect him to re-surface with the Ice.
And while you’re at it, you can scratch Dean Chynoweth, Jeff’s brother, off the list, too. Dean is available, having been fired from his position as assistant coach by the New York Islanders when their season ended. Yeah, that was all his fault, just like the Calgary Flames’ woes last season were Ryan McGill’s fault. The Flames, you’ll recall, dropped McGill as an assistant coach after the 2010-11 season.
McGill, of course, is another former Ice coach. He was out of hockey this season. Might he be interested in a return to Cranbrook? Likely not, but never say never.
The Wheat Kings, meanwhile, aren’t likely to hire a head coach unless Clouston finds work elsewhere. He had a year left on his contract, meaning the Wheat Kings are on the hook for that unless he signs on with another organization.
The leading candidate in Brandon, at least at this moment, has to be McCrimmon. He was head coach for seven seasons prior to hiring Clouston, and the team posted 298 regular-season victories with him behind the bench.
Anyway, just for fun, here’s a look at some potential candidates for head-coaching positions — they are presented in no particular order, other than the first one who will at the top of most lists like this:
DAVE HUNCHAK: Presently the associate coach with the Kamloops Blazers. . . . Has been WHL coach for eight seasons, four as head guy in Moose Jaw. . . . .Gets lots of credit for amazing turnaround in Kamloops this season. . . . Believed to have window in contract from sometime in June into August that would allow him to move. . . . Won’t move just to become head coach. Has been there and done that. . . . Might be more interested in a position like the Milwaukee head-coaching vacancy than a move within the WHL.
JASON BECKER: Assistant coach with the Prince George Cougars since 2009. . . . Played in WHL (Saskatoon, Red Deer, Kamloops, Swift Current, 1990-94). Also played in CIS, WCHL and in Europe. . . . Was a defenceman. . . . Earlier this month was named head coach Team Pacific for the U17 World Hockey Challenge. . . . Eager, energetic, enthusiastic.
GLEN HANLON: Has coaching experience in the NHL and in Europe. . . . Former Brandon Wheat Kings goaltender just finished his first season as an assistant with the Vancouver Giants. . . . For family reasons, he isn’t likely to leave B.C.’s Lower Mainland. . . . Should Vancouver head coach Don Hay leave — let’s just say he signs on as an assistant coach under Ken Hitchcock with the St. Louis Blues — Hanlon would be the leading candidate to take over the Giants.
STEVE HAMILTON: Assistant coach with Edmonton Oil Kings for two seasons now. . . . Was GM and head coach of AJHL’s Spruce Grove Saints for four seasons before joining Oil Kings. . . . Saints went 52-4-4 to win AJHL title in 2009-10. . . . A real up-and-coming candidate.
DAVE LOWRY: Was head coach of Calgary Hitmen for one season (2008-09), going 59-9-4. . . . Promptly moved up to the parent Calgary Flames where he spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach before being dumped after this season.
JON KLEMM: Former WHL and pro defenceman has been an assistant coach with the Spokane Chiefs for three seasons. . . . Played 773 regular-season NHL games. . . . He’s from Cranbrook.
CHAD MERCIER: General manager and head coach of AJHL’s Bonnyville Pontiacs since April 2006. . . . Former WHL goaltender with WHL coaching experience with the Regina Pats and Saskatoon Blades. . . . One of these summers his phone is going to ring.
MALCOLM CAMERON: Just complete his first season as an assistant coach under Pat Conacher with the Regina Pats. . . . Was head coach for nine seasons in ECHL, United league and Central league before signing with Regina. . . . Wants to be a head coach again. . . . Gets high marks from Conacher.
DARREN KRUGER: Former WHL defenceman joined the Medicine Hat Tigers’ coaching staff in January 2006. . . . Veteran assistant coach may be ready to take the giant step.
DEAN BROCKMAN: General manager and head coach of SJHL’s Humboldt Broncos. . . . Won four titles in six seasons. . . . Has been with the Broncos for 11 seasons. . . . Would he leave the farm?
GORD THIBODEAU: General manager and head coach of AJHL’s Fort McMurray Oil Barons. . . . Has been with the Oil Barons since 2003-04. . . . Applied for head coaching job at U of Alberta. That position was attractive as he is from Edmonton, his family lives there and he played for the Golden Bears. . . . Perhaps he isn’t prepared to move anywhere other than Edmonton.
MIKE VANDENBERGHE: Former WHL defenceman (Moose Jaw, Brandon, Medicine Hat, 1987-92). . . . Has worked on coaching staffs with Brandon and Moose Jaw. Presently assistant coach with the Warriors. . . . Also has coached at the CIS and junior A levels. . . . Has all the qualifications. . . . But would he leave his home in Regina Beach, Sask., where you can bet that he’s been into Butler’s for fish and chips?
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THE COACHING GAME:
Jomar Cruz has stepped aside as head coach of the MJHL’s OCN Blizzard, a franchise that is based in The Pas. Cruz, a goaltender, played in the WHL with Brandon, Tri-City and Portland (1997-2000). He had been with the Blizzard since 2006.
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The Chicago Blackhawks made it official Tuesday. They have signed two WHL goaltenders – Kent Simpson of the Everett Silvertips and Mac Carruth of the Portland Winterhawks. . . . Simpson was a second-round selection in the 2010 NHL draft, while the Blackhawks took Carruth in the seventh round. . . . Had the players not been signed by Friday, they would have been made available in the 2012 draft. . . . Both players are 20 years of age, meaning they are eligible to play one more season in the WHL. But they also are eligible to play professionally so could end up anywhere in Chicago’s organization.
Alan Caldwell, over at Small Thoughts at Large, has been keeping track of who from the 2010 draft has signed and who hasn’t.
It appears that the Edmonton Oilers are working to sign D Brandon Davidson, who completed his eligibility with the Regina Pats this season, but will let Kootenay Ice F Drew Czerwonka re-enter the draft. Both were sixth-round selections in the 2010 draft.
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Barclay Parneta, Tri-City’s prospect
development coach and head scout,
welcomes Parker Wotherspoon
to the Americans.

The Tri-City Americans have signed D Parker Wotherspoon to a WHL contract. He was Tri-City’s first-round selection, 21st overall, in the 2012 bantam draft. A native of Surrey, B.C., Wotherspoon had 54 points in 55 games with the bantam AAA Cloverdale Colts this season. . . . Wotherspoon is likely to play for the major midget Valley West Hawks nexdt season. . . . He is the younger brother of Portland Winterhawks D Tyler Wotherspoon.
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An interesting note from James Shewaga, the sports editor of the Brandon Sun:
“For the first time in 19 years, organizers of the Source for Sports AAA Hockey Challenge have suspended a player indefinitely from their spring and summer hockey tournaments.
Tournament director Darryl Wolski handed the suspension to a 15-year-old player from Winnipeg for reportedly slashing a referee with his stick during the championship final of the 1997 age group division on Sunday at Westman Place. The player in question, who was selected in this year’s Western Hockey League bantam draft, was being escorted off the ice following his ejection from the game.”

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THE MacBETH REPORT:
F Jan Fadrny (Brandon, Kelowna, 1998-2001) signed a one-year contract with Königsbrunn (Germany, Bayernliga). He had four goals and one assist in nine games with Dresdner Eislöwen (Germany, 2.Bundesliga) and four goals and 13 assists in 23 games with Pisek (Czech Republic, 1.Liga) last season.
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And now for something completely different. . . . Mark Ferner, the head coach of the Everett Silvertips, and Steve Konowalchuk, the head coach of the Seattle Thunderbirds, will be doing a live chat today at SeattleTimes.com. The two coaches, each of them in his first season, will run from noon to 1 p.m.
If you are so inclined, you may join the chat right here.
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For the second time in two seasons, the Kelowna Rockets sent a player home in the hopes that time away from the arena will allow him to recover from post-concussion syndrome.
Last year, the Rockets sent F Kyle St. Denis home to Trail. He never did return to the Rockets, although he later completed his 20-year-old season with the BCHL’s Victoria Grizzlies.
On Tuesday, the Rockets revealed that F Max Adolph, 19, has gone home to Saskatoon and has been placed on the indefinite injured list.
Concussions limited Adolph to 36 games last season, during which he totalled six points. He was injured on Oct. 30, returned in late November and was hurt again in January. He tried to come back in February but was sidelined again just two weeks later.
He returned for training camp and played in the Rockets’ first exhibition game but suffered another concussion.
“After assessment from our doctors, we’re doing what is in in the best interest of Max,” Rockets president and general manager Bruce Hamilton said in a news release. “Our medical team has advised Max to avoid body contact and shut his season down for now.
“The best place for Max to recover is at home with his family. We’re going to stay in touch with Max and he will be re-assessed after Christmas.”
Adolph is the son of Dave Adolph, the head coach of the U of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s hockey team.
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The WHL’s 20-year-old deadline — at which time each team may declare a maximum of three such players — arrives on Oct. 13.
The Tri-City Americans are going to have a tough decision to make before it gets here.
F Brendan Shinnimin is back with the Americans after skating in the camps of the NHL’s PHoenix Coyotes and the AHL’s Portland, Me., Pirates.
The Americans’ roster also includes three other 20-year-olds — D Brock Sutherland, who was plus-5 in two weekend games, F Adam Hughesman, the WHL’s player of the week, and F Mason Wilgosh.
As well, there still is a chance that D Matt MacKenzie could be returned. He went to camp with the Buffalo Sabres and now is with the AHL’s Rochester Americans.
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JUST NOTES: The Regina Pats got down to 25 players on Tuesday by assigning F Mikael Jung, 19, to the BCHL’s Cowichan Valley Capitals. Jung had 16 points, eight of them goals, in 69 games with the Pats last season. That move left the Pats carrying two goaltenders, nine defencemen and 14 forwards. . . . The Brandon Wheat Kings are at 24 players after assigning three 16-year-old skaters. D Colton Waltz is off to the AJHL’s Bonnyville Pontiacs, while F Tim McGauley and F Taylor Cooper are bound for midget AAA teams in Sherwood Park, Alta., and Notre Dame, respectively. The Wheat Kings now are carrying two goalies, nine defencemen and 13 forwards. They are missing F Brenden Walker, who hasn’t played since suffering a concussion last spring, and D Brodie Melnychuk (broken wrist). . . .
F Quinton Howden, 19, has been returned to the Moose Jaw Warriors by the NHL’s Florida Panthers. But he came back with a concussion and there isn’t a timetable for his return. Howden was injured two weeks ago in a rookie game against the Nashville Predators. Howden is a key part of the Warriors, having had 79 points, including 40 goals, in 60 games last season. . . . On Tuesday, the Warriors released veteran F Markus McCrea, 19. He played 175 games with the Everett Silvertips before being released and picked up by the Warriors. He played in the Warriors’ 4-3 victory over the Wheat Kings in Brandon on Friday but was minus-2. . . .
G Andrew Hayes, who played three seasons with the Brandon Wheat Kings before spending his 20-year-old season with the QMJHL’s Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, has signed with the ECHL’s Alaska Aces. Hayes, 21, is in camp with the AHL’s Peoria Rivermen, who have an affiliation with the Aces. . . . The Swift Current Broncos have returned F Zac MacKay to the midget AAA Swift Current Legionnaires. MacKay, 17, was pointless in nine games with the Broncos last season. . . . Tyler King, the radio voice of the AJHL’s Fort McMurray Oil Barons, reports that the team has added F Cole Penner, 20, to its roster. The Prince Albert Raiders selected Penner with the fourth overall pick in the WHL’s 2006 bantam draft. Penner has played only 17 WHL games.
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The OHL issued three lengthy suspensions on Tuesday, sitting one player for 12 games, another for 10 and one for six.
The really interesting thing, however, is that the OHL also issued this news release:
“The Ontario Hockey League today announced the results of three separate disciplinary reviews. The league has taken the position, that for education purposes, any announcement regarding supplementary discipline will be supported by video footage and additional rationale for all incidents involving checking to the head, checking from behind, and others at the discretion of the league.”
If you visit the OHL website and click on one of the video links, you won’t get commissioner David Branch in front of a camera, a la Brendan Shanahan, but you will get a written explanation along with video of the infraction.
Well done, OHL!
And over to you, QMJHL and WHL.
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Richard Doerksen, the WHL’s disciplinarian, handed out two suspensions, on Tuesday. . . . F Dominik Uher of the Spokane Chiefs will sit for three games for a checking from behind major he incurred in a Saturday game against the Tri-City Americans in Kennewick, Wash. Tri-City F Jordan Messier got two games under supplemental discipline from a game against the visiting Portland Winterhawks on Sunday.
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You may recall that just last week the BCHL suspended F Logan Johnston of the Penticton Vees for 20 games after a cross-check broke an opponent’s jaw. Well, it seems the Vees appealed the suspension. Not only did the Vees lose the suspension, but the BCHL’s appeals committee — an independent body that comprises three former police officers — added five games to the suspension, turning it into a 25-game sentence.
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THE COACHING GAME:
There has been a coaching change in the MJHL where former WHL goaltender Jomar Cruz (Brandon, Tri-City, Portland, 1998-2001) has taken over as head coach of the OCN Blizzard. Cruz, who was an assistant coach with the Blizzard, was named interim head coach after Scott McMillan, who was both GM and head coach, chose to step away from coaching. McMillan was quoted in a press release as saying he “just doesn’t have the energy to keep a group of teenagers on the right track at this time.” The Blizzard opened this season 0-2-1.
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Rob Vanstone of the Regina Leader-Post was able to chat with Gerry James the other day. Gerry James? He is one of the great stories in all of Canada’s sporting history. He also took a turn as head coach of the Moose Jaw Warriors. It turns out that a book — Kid Dynamite: The Gerry James Story — now is available. I will be hunting up a copy. Vanstone’s piece is right here.

gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
     
gdrinnan.blogspot.com
     
Taking Note on Twitter

Saturday . . .

Jerome Dupont, the head coach of the QMJHL’s Gatineau Olympiques, unexpectedly resigned Saturday. Assistant coach Guy Lalonde has taken over as head coach until a replacement is found. Dupont, a former NHL defenceman, was in his second season with the Olympiques. He joined them in November 2008. The Olympiques were 26-29-1-4 with the 18-team league’s 12th-best winning percentage (.433) when Dupont resigned. He is expected to remain with the organization as a consultant, at least for now. Dupont signed a three-year contract on April 16, 2009.
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The 2010 Memorial Cup will be part of Manitoba Homecoming 2010, which is part of the province’s 140th birthday celebrations. As part of that, the Memorial Cup host committee has scheduled two Saturday Night Socials, one on May 15 and the other on May 22. . . . Randy Bachman, the legendary guitarist, song writer, performer and producter, kicks off the May 15 social, with seven-time Juno Award-winner Tom Cochrane performing May 22. . . . If you haven’t taken a couple of hours out of your Saturday evening schedule to listen to Randy’s Vinyl Tap on CBC Radio, well, you’re cheating yourself. . . . By the way, Cochrane is from, yes, Lynn Lake, Man. . . . Tickets for both shows go on sale Monday morning (March 1) at the Keystone Centre box office. They also may be purchased by calling 204-726-3555 or by visiting ticketmaster.ca. . . . Yet to be announced are details of the Opening banquet (May 13), a golf tournament at Clear Lake (May 20) and the CHL awards ceremony (May 22).
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Bruce Luebke, the radio voice of the Brandon Wheat Kings, has published his annual Best of the East poll. You’ll find it right here. . . . Two things of interest: The Saskatoon Blades had three of their players show up as the three most irritating players to play against. And the Portland Winterhawks and their fans will be thrilled to know that Andy Thiessen was selected as best referee.
http://luberslounge.blogspot.com/2010/02/third-annual-best-of-east-poll.html
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Two former WHLers are on the coaching staff for Team Canada West that will play in the 2010 World Junior A Challenge at a site yet to be determined. Larry Wintoneak of the SJHL’s Kindersley Klippers will be the head coach, with Jomar Cruz of the MJHL’s OCN Blizzard and Andrew Milne of the AJHL’s Canmore Eagles on his staff. Cruz was a goaltender during his WHL career, while Milne was a hard-nosed forward. Milne also spent some time as an assistant coach with the Kamloops Blazers. . . . Wintoneak’s other assistant coach will be Kevin Hasselberg of the AJHL’s Olds Grizzlies.
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THE PLAYOFF CHASE
Teams in the running for playoff spots, showing games remaining (d — denotes division leaders, who are seeded one-two):
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(top eight advance)
dx-Calgary (7) 45-17-1-2-93
dx-Saskatoon (7) 43-15-3-4-93
x-Brandon (6) 44-18-1-3-92
x-Kootenay (6) 39-22-3-2-83
Red Deer (7) 38-23-0-4-80
Medicine Hat (6) 35-23-3-5-78
Moose Jaw (8) 31-24-4-5-71
Swift Current (6) 33-29-0-4-70
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Prince Albert (7) 30-30-3-2-65
Regina (6) 27-32-3-4-61
x — clinched playoff spot.
Saturday: Prince Albert 3 at Brandon 5; Kelowna 1 at Calgary 2; Red Deer 4 at Edmonton 3 (SO); Lethbridge 4 at Kootenay 1; Kamloops 6 at Medicine Hat 3; Chilliwack 2 at Moose Jaw 3; Regina 3 at Saskatoon 0; Vancouver 3 at Swift Current 5.
Sunday: No games scheduled.
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WESTERN CONFERENCE
(top eight advance)
dx-Tri-City (8) 43-18-1-2-89
dx-Vancouver (6) 39-22-2-3-83
x-Everett (7) 41-19-3-2-87
x-Spokane (7) 40-21-3-1-84
x-Portland (7) 39-23-2-1-81
x-Kelowna (6) 30-30-2-4-66
x-Kamloops (5) 30-31-2-4-66
x-Chilliwack (6) 29-31-1-5-64
x — clinched playoff spot.
Saturday: Kelowna 1 at Calgary 2; Prince George 0 at Everett 5; Kamloops 6 at Medicine Hat 3; Chilliwack 2 at Moose Jaw 3; Portland 3 at Seattle 2 (SO); Tri-City 2 at Spokane 5; Vancouver 3 at Swift Current 5.
Sunday: Tri-City at Seattle; Prince George at Portland.
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SATURDAY:
In Brandon, the Wheat Kings jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead en route to a 5-3 victory over the Prince Albert Raiders. . . . F Jay Fehr, with his 25th, and F Matt Calvert, with his 40th, at 1:04 and 3:32 of the first period got the home side off to a hot start. . . . The Raiders played from behind the rest of the night, three times closing the gap to one but never catching up. . . . Brandon F Scott Glennie scored twice, giving him 28. His second goal, the game’s last score, came on a penalty shot at 6:41 of the third. . . . F Justin Maylan scored twice for the Raiders, giving him 16. . . . Brandon holds a 4-3 edge in the season series. . . . Attendance was 4,953. . . . Brandon F Toni Rajala, who went into the game with 17 points in 11 February games, was blanked. . . . Brandon G Jacob De Serres stopped 30 shots, while P.A.’s Garrett Zemlak stopped 28. . . . If you believe in the plus/minus stat, it’s worth noting that Brandon D Travis Hamonic was pointless but finished plus-3.
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In Calgary, the Hitmen scored two third-period goals and beat the Kelowna Rockets, 2-1. . . . F Joel Broda got his 33rd at 53 seconds on the PP and F Riley Bugart added his third at 5:18. . . . F Brandon McMillan, with his 17th, scored for Kelowna at 14:22 of the third. . . . Attendance was 9,408.
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In Edmonton, F Landon Ferraro’s shootout goal gave the Red Deer Rebels a 4-3 victory over the Oil Kings. . . . Ferraro also had a goal, his 15th, in regulation time. . . . Red Deer took a 3-1 lead into the third period. . . . The Oil Kings forced OT on goals by F Michael Burns, at 9:19, and Sebastian Svendsen, at 19:07. Burns has seven goals; Svendsen has 11. . . . Edmonton was 1-for-3 on the PP; Red Deer was 0-for-1. . . . Attendance was 5,128. . . . Red Deer G Kraymer Barnstable stopped 27 shots through OT and three more in the shootout. . . . Edmonton G Cam Lanigan turned aside 39 shots.
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In Everett, F Kellan Tochkin had two goals and G Kent Simpson earned the shutout as the Silvertips dropped the Prince George Cougars, 5-0. . . . The shutout was the first of the season for Simpson and the second of his career. He stopped 24 shots. . . . Tochkin has 25 goals. His first goal, 37 seconds into the first, stood up as the winner. . . . He also had an assist. . . . F Shane Harper added his 38th goal of the season to tie the franchise’s single-season record that was held by F John Lammers (2005-06). . . . Attendance was 7,581. . . . The Cougars, who lost D Jesse Forsberg (shoulder) in a 5-1 loss in Spokane on Friday, have lost nine in a row. . . . The Silvertips are adding F Tyler Giebel, 16, to their roster for the remainder of the season. He had been with the midget AAA Regina Pats Canadians, earning 55 points in 41 games -- and is eligible to join Everett as their season has ended. Giebel was the 27th overall pick in the 2008 bantam draft.
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In Cranbrook, the Lethbridge Hurricanes got two assists from each of F Austin Fyten and F Graham Hood as they beat the host Kootenay Ice, 4-1. . . . The Ice now has lost three in a row; the Hurricanes had lost seven of eight. . . . Lethbridge G Brandon Anderson stopped 20 shots through two periods; the third period shots weren’t up on the WHL website. . . . Anderson stopped Ice F Matt Fraser on a first-period penalty shot to preserve a 1-0 lead. . . . Lethbridge F Ryon Moser broke a 1-1 tie with his sixth goal at 3:27 of the third period. . . . Lethbridge F Mitch Maxwell scored his 27th goal at 4:25 of the third. . . . Attendance was 4,241. . . . In what may be one of the most amazing statistics of this WHL season, Pat Siedlecki, the radio voice of the Hurricanes, points out that Lethbridge has played in 30 one-goal games this season. The Hurricanes are 10-20 in those games.
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In Medicine Hat, F Chase Schaber scored three times to lead the Kamloops Blazers to a 6-3 victory over the Tigers. . . . Schaber, who has 16 goals, scored once in each period, the last one on the PP and into an empty net. . . . Kamloops F C.J. Stretch broke a 3-3 tie with a PP goal at 18:08 of the third period. . . . F Jordan DePape, who scored the OT winner Saturday in a 4-3 victory over the Hurricanes in Lethbridge, had a goal, also an empty-netter, and two assists for Kamloops. . . . Attendance was 4,006. . . . Kamloops G Jon Groenheyde made his second straight start and has won back-to-back games for the first time since late September. . . . Groenheyde stopped 26 shots. . . . Medicine Hat G Tyler Bunz turned aside 22 shots. . . . Kamloops was 2-for-5 on the PP; the Tigers were 0-for-4.
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In Moose Jaw, the Warriors rode three first-period goals to a 3-2 victory over the Chilliwack Bruins. . . . D Ryan Stanton scored the game’s first two goals, the first at 1:24 and the second at 6:56 on the PP. He has 10 goals. . . . F Dylan Hood, with his 20th, scored at 16:18. . . . The Bruins got close on second-period goals from F Jamie Crooks and F Roman Horak. Both have 19. . . . Attendance was 2,307. . . . Moose Jaw G Jeff Bosch stopped 33 shots, six more than Chilliwack G Lucas Gore. . . . The Bruins went 3-3-0-0 on their swing through the East Division.
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In Saskatoon, G Dawson Guhle stopped 19 shots for his first WHL shutout as the Regina Pats dumped the Blades, 3-0. . . . Not only was it Guhle’s first shutout, it was the first time this season that the Pats have blanked the opposition. . . . Regina F Jordan Eberle scored twice, giving him 45. His first goal, at 2:08 of the second, stood up as the winner. . . . F Matt Strueby had a goal, his 34th, and an assist, while F Brett Leffler drew two helpers. . . . Eberle’s second goal was into an empty net. . . . Attendance was 5,236. . . . Saskatoon G Adam Morrison stopped 26 shots. . . . The Blades have been blanked twice this season. . . . The Pats, fighting to get back into position to grab the Eastern Conference’s last playoff spot, had lost three in a row. . . . The Blades had won their last two games. . . . Following a scoring change made earlier Saturday, Eberle went into the game with the WHL points lead. He had 93, one ahead of teammate Jordan Weal and F Craig Cunningham of the Vancouver Giants. . . . Eberle and Weal are attempting to become the first members of the Pats to reach 100 points since F Ronald Petrovicky did it in 1997-98 when he finished at 113. (F Blake Evans had 102 points in 2000-01, but got 59 of those with the Tri-City Americans). . . . As well, Eberle and Weal are trying to become the first Regina player to win the WHL scoring title since F Dale Derkatch had 179 points in 1982-83.
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In Kent, Wash., the Portland Winterhawks made it 11 straight victories over the Seattle Thunderbirds, with a 3-2 shootout triumph. . . . Portland F Luke Walker, the sixth shooter, gave his side a 2-1 edge in the shootout. . . . The Winterhawks tied a franchise record for longest winning streak against the Thunderbirds. . . . The Winterhawks led 2-0 on goals by D Troy Rutkowski and F Taylor Peters. . . . The Thunderbirds got goals from F Brandon Troock and F Tyler Aloos, the latter tying the score at 5:35 of thet hird period. . . . Seattle G Calvin Pickard stopped 43 shots, including nine in OT. . . . Portland G Ian Curtis stopped 39 shots as he won his 20th game of the season. . . . The Thunderbirds were 0-for-5 on the PP; the Winterhawks were 0-for-0. . . . Andy Thiessen was working the game in Medicine Hat.
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In Spokane, the Chiefs scored three PP goals and beat the Tri-City Americans, 5-2. . . . F Tyler Johnson, who had three goals in Friday’s 5-1 victory over the visiting Prince George Cougars, had three assists for the Chiefs, as did D Jared Spurgeon. . . . The Chiefs have won the last five games with the Americans. . . . F Kyle Beach scored his WHL-leading 48th goal for Spokane. . . . The Chiefs, who have won nine of 10, were 3-for-7 on the PP; the Americans were 1-for-2. . . . Attendance was 10,529. . . . The Chiefs were without F Dominik Uher, who served a one-game suspension for a boarding major he incurred in Friday’s 5-1 victory over the visiting Prince George Cougars. . . . Tri-City F Todd Kennedy sat out his second game. He remains under indefinite suspension for a hit on Portland D Eric Doyle on Tuesday night.
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In Swift Current, the Broncos struck four times in the third period and beat the Vancouver Giants, 5-3. . . . The teams were tied 1-1 going to the third, with F James Henry having scored his 20th, shorthanded, for the Giants and D Joel Rogers having gotten his first, on the PP, for the Broncos. . . . F Tomas Vincour gave the Giants the lead at 1:09 of the third. . . . The Broncos then got goals from D Kyle Verdino, his first, and F Brad Hoban at 4:34 and 7:29. . . . The Giants took the lead 30 seconds later on F JT Barnett’s 19th. . . . F Jordan Peddle broke the tie with his second of the season at 14:59 and F Cody Eakin added the empty-netter, his 43rd, at 19:24. . . . Talk about getting goals from unexpected sources! Rogers’ goal was his first in 56 games this season and his third in 159 career games. Verdino, in his third WHL season, scored his first goal in his 144th game. He was goalless in 122 games with Kelowna and has played 22 games with the Broncos. Peddle got his second goal in 63 games this season after scoring 11 in 55 games last season. . . . Broncos G Morgan Clark stopped 37 shots, 15 more than Vancouver’s Mark Segal. . . . Attendance was 2,172.