Wheat Kings star hospitalized

THE MacBETH REPORT:
F Hnat Domenichelli (Kamloops, 1992-96) has announced his retirement after 12 seasons in Switzerland NL A. He started the season with Lugano, then then transferred to Bern (both Switzerland, NL A). With Lugano, he had seven points, including three goals, in 10 games. With Bern, he put up 17 points, nine of them goals, in 32 games.
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A trust fund has been established to assist the Bozon family with medical- and rehabilitation-related costs with which they now are faced.
You are able to make a donation at any BMO Bank of Montreal branch in Western Canada.
Should you live outside of that area and want to donate, please mail donations to:
Western Hockey League
c/o Tim Bozon
Father David Bauer Arena
2424 University Drive NW
Calgary AB
T2N 3Y9
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F Jayce Hawryluk of the Brandon Wheat Kings was taken to Brandon General Hospital
by ambulance after his club’s 5-4 victory over the Regina Pats on Wednesday night.

JAYCE HAWRYLUK

Hawryluk scored three times in the victory and also added an assist, giving him eight points in the first three games of the first-round series. The Wheat Kings hold a 3-0 lead with Game 4 scheduled for Brandon on Friday night.
After the game, Kelly McCrimmon, the Wheat Kings’ owner/general manager and head coach, reported:
“Jayce was taken to hospital after tonight's game. While concerned the club believes it is not serious. Until we have more information we can not pinpoint the cause. Jayce is resting comfortably.”
Hawryluk, who turned 18 on Jan. 1, is from Roblin, Man. A sophomore, he had 64 points, including 24 goals, in 59 regular-season games. He was a second-round selection by Brandon in the 2011 bantam draft.
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It is pretty much a given in the hockey world that a team’s dressing room belongs to the coaches and players.
It has long been seen as a sanctuary for the players and there often is a coaches’ office attached to it. In most situations, if someone from management wants to see a coach or a player, that person is beckoned upstairs, if you will, for that meeting. If a general manager, for example, needs to be in a dressing room, it oftentimes is only a brief visit.
That doesn’t seem to be the case with the Saskatoon Blades, nor will it be as things evolve there under the ownership of the father-and-son team of Mike and Colin Priestner.
Curtis Leschyshyn, a former Blades defenceman who went on to an NHL career, was an assistant coach in Saskatoon this season. Daniel Nugent-Bowman of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix quotes Leschyshyn in Wednesday’s newspaper:
Leschyshyn, who revealed last week that he wouldn’t be back with the Blades, said that former owner Jack Brodsky “had ideas, but would respect the decisions that the coaches and (general manager Lorne Molleken) would have. Colin obviously wants to be real involved and be in the locker-room.
"Those were some of the things that, as a player, I never saw in my career nor do I think is part of the game. The room is a very special place for the players. It always should be that way."
Colin Priestner, the franchise’s minority owner and managing partner, said he isn’t about to change his ways.
"Like I said in the first press conference, I felt like I needed to know every player, every employee, every manager and everyone in the organization," he said. "We weren't going to be able to properly identify what we had if I was just going to sit in my office with the door locked all day. That's just not how I operate anyway."
The Priestners, with help from TSN/NHL Network analyst Craig Button, who is a former Calgary Flames GM, are looking for a new general manager and a head coach after dropping Molleken and head coach Dave Struch on Tuesday. It sounds like the new GM and head coach will have to be prepared to have an owner who makes regular visits to the dressing room.
Nugent-Bowman’s complete story is right here.
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A tweet from Kelly Chase (@Chasenpucks39), a former Blades player who was part of a group that attempted to purchase the franchise last summer: “Extremely unfortunate that the @bladeshockey have let go of David Struch great job with very little. May be a blessing.”
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Greg Pocock, a Prince George businessman who heads up a group that is in the process of purchasing the Cougars, has told the Prince George Citizen that the franchise will be staying where it is. “We're not buying a team to move a team, we're buying a team to keep it in Prince George," Pocock told the Citizen‘s Ted Clarke. . . . That story is right here. . . .

Over time, Kelly McCrimmon has become the face of the Brandon Wheat Kings. These days, he is the owner, governor, general manager and head coach coach. Rob Vanstone of the Regina Leader-Post takes a look at McCrimmon’s journey right here. . . .

If you are planning to attend Game 5 of the first-round series between the Tri-City Americans and host Kelowna Rockets on Friday, note that the starting time has been moved from 7:05 to 7:30 p.m. . . . The starting time was changed as the game will be televised in Canada on Sportsnet. The Rockets lead the series, 3-1. . . .

D MacKenzie Johnston, 20, has joined the Central league’s Tulsa Oilers for the remainder of the season. Johnston completed his junior eligibility with the Saskatoon Blades. Johnston, who played five seasons in the WHL, was dealt by the Kelowna Rockets to the Prince Albert Raiders early this season, and later traded to the Blades. . . . The Oilers are 32-28-3 and have clinched a playoff spot. . . .

The game-winning goal in the Seattle Thunderbirds’ 4-3 OT victory over the visiting Everett Silvertips on Tuesday night has been changed. F Mathew Barzal had been credited with the goal. It was changed Wednesday to Justin Hickman from Barzal and Ryan Gropp. . . . Following Game 1, the winning goal, that had been credited to Seattle D Shea Theodore, was changed to Gropp. . . .

In the U.S., the National Labor Relations Board has ruled that football players at Northwestern University in Illinois are employees and, as such, are eligible to go through the process of forming a union. . . . There is more on that right here.
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WEDNESDAY'S GAMES:


 In Prince Albert, D Cody Corbett and F Mitch Moroz each had two goals and three assists as the Edmonton Oil Kings dropped the Raiders, 6-2. . . . The Oil Kings swept the series. . . . Edmonton took a 3-2 lead into the latter stages of the second period when it got a PP goal from Corbett at 16:26. . . . Moroz, with his second of the game and the series, added another PP goal at 1:38 of the third and F Curtis Lazar scored at 13:57. . . . F Henrik Samuelsson had two assists for Edmonton. . . . Edmonton was 3-for-5 on the PP; Prince Albert was 0-for-2. . . . Edmonton G Tristan Jarry stopped 25 shots, 10 fewer than Cole Cheveldave of the Raiders. . . . Edmonton has appeared in the WHL’s last three championship finals. It’s first-round record on those playoffs now is 12-1. . . .


In Brandon, F Jayce Hawryluk scored three times and added an assist as the Wheat Kings got past the Regina Pats, 5-4. . . . Hawryluk was taken to Brandon General Hospital after the game, where he was said to be resting comfortably. . . . The Wheat Kings, who lead the series 3-0 and can wrap it up on home ice on Friday night, trailed 4-1 before the game was 14 minutes old. . . . Brandon F Jesse Gabrielle scored the game’s first goal, at 5:29, but the Pats came back with four in a row, the last three in a span of 1:45, with two of those coming from F Dryden Hunt on the PP. . . . D Jesse Zgraggen (7:17), (12:10), F Carter Hansen (12:40) and Hunt (13:55) gave Regina its three-goal lead. . . . Hawryluk scored at 15:39 and 18:01, and Brandon trailed 4-3 going into the second period. . . . F Chad Robinson tied it with a shorthanded goal at 3:19 of the second and Hawryluk got the winner at 15:10 of the third. . . . Hawryluk has four goals and four assists in the series’ three games. . . . Brandon F John Quenneville had three assists. His older brother, Peter, returned to Brandon’s lineup after missing Game 2, as did D Eric Roy. . . . Brandon’s line of Hawryluk, John Quenneville and Gabrielle combined for nine points. . . . Regina F Morgan Klimchuk had two assists. . . . Brandon G Jordan Papirny, who didn’t practice on Tuesday, stopped 29 shots. . . . Regina G Daniel Wapple, out since March 5 with an ankle injury, returned to the ice and stopped 20 shots. . . . Regina was 2-for-4 on the PP; Brandon was 0-for-2. . . .


In Swift Current, freshman F Jake DeBrusk scored his third goal of the series at 5:06 of OT as the Broncos got past the Medicine Hat Tigers, 3-2. . . . The series is tied 2-2 with Game 5 in Medicine Hat on Saturday night. . . . DeBrusk, a 17-year-old from Edmonton, has three goals in the series. He had 15 goals in 72 regular-season games, when he had a goal and eight assists in his last six games. . . . The Tigers took a 2-0 first-period lead on two goals by F Curtis Valk, at 7:23 and 8:35. . . . The Broncos got two goals form Graham Black, his first and second of the series, at 1:06 of the second period and 1:01 of the third. . . . F Jay Merkley had two assists for Swift Current, while F Trevor Cox did the same for Medicine Hat. . . . Valk has three goals in the series. . . . The battle between the two European goaltenders continued, as the Broncos’ Eetu Laurikainen, who is from Finland, stopped 40 shots, and Marek Langhamer of the Tigers, who is from Czech Republic, turned aside 42. . . . The Tigers were 0-for-4 on the PP; the Broncos were 0-for-5. . . . F Steve Owre was back with the Tigers after missing five games. . . .


 In Vancouver, F Oliver Bjorkstrand had a goal and two assists as the Portland Winterhawks dumped the Giants, 6-1, to sweep the first-round series. . . . Portland, the WHL’s defending champion, is 10-0 in its last 10 series against Western Conference opponents. The last time Portland lost to a conference opponent was in the spring of 2010 when Vancouver won a conference semifinal in six games. . . . The Winterhawks are into the second round for a fifth straight season. . . . Portland F Brendan Leipsic opened the scoring with his WHL-leading fifth goal of these playoffs. That was at 16:09 of the first period, on a PP. . . . Portland had a 3-0 lead when Vancouver F Carter Popoff scored, on a PP, at 9:47 of the second. . . . Leipsic and F Keegan Iverson had a goal and an assist each for Portland, which got 32 saves from G Brendan Burke. . . . Vancouver starter Payton Lee stopped 10 of 13 shots, leaving after Portland’s third goal at 17:05 of the first period. . . . Jared Rathjen came on to turn aside 29 of 32 shots. . . . Rathjen wasn’t on the bench for Game 3, as was indicated here yesterday. The WHL’s online score sheet was in error. Cody Porter, from the BCHL’s West Kelowna Warriors, backed up Lee. . . . Rathjen had needed 15 stitches to close a cut near an eye after he was struck by a puck while on the bench in Game 2 in Portland on Saturday. . . . The Winterhawks, the conference’s No. 2 seed, outscored the No. 7 Giants, 19-7, in the four games. Portland had the WHL’s top-ranked regular-season PP, at 27.5 per cent. It scored six PP goals in 27 opportunities (22.2 per cent) in the series. . . . Vancouver scored one PP goal in 14 opportunities in the four games. . . . Going back to the regular season, the Winterhawks have won 11 in a row and 32 of 33. . . . Including the regular season, Portland went 8-0-0 against Vancouver this season. . . . Portland D Derrick Pouliot picked up one assist, giving him 47 career playoff points to tie the franchise record held by Glen Wesley (1983-87). . . . Vancouver F Tim Traber was given a major for clipping at 18:21 of the third period for a hit on Portland D Keoni Texeira. Traber, 20, was playing in the final junior game of his career. . . .


 In Spokane, F Austin Carroll celebrated his 20th birthday by scoring twice and adding an assist as the Victoria Royals beat the Chiefs, 6-1. . . . The Royals, who won two OT games on home ice, lead the series 3-0 and can wrap it up tonight in Spokane. . . . The Royals led this one 4-0 after one period on Carroll’s first two goals of the series and singles from F Ben Walker and D Jordan Fransoo. . . . Walker scored 11 seconds into the game, which is four seconds off the WHL record held by F Trevor Linden of the Medicine Hat Tigers. Linden scored seven seconds into a 6-5 victory over the visiting Saskatoon Blades on April 15, 1988. . . . F Logan Nelson and D Travis Brown each had a goal and an assist for the Royals. . . . F Brandon Magee had three assists for Victoria, which went into this series having lost six straight first-round series, four of which came when it was the Chilliwack Bruins (remember them?) . . . In those series, the Chilliwack/Victoria teams were 6-24. . . . The Royals were 3-for-6 on the PP; the Chiefs were 0-for-2. . . . Victoria G Patrik Polivka stopped 20 shots. . . . Spokane starter Eric Williams allowed five goals on 22 shots. Garret Hughson came on midway through the third and stopped one of two shots. . . . The Chiefs have lost their last seven playoff games. . . . According to Marlon Martens, the radio voice of the Royals, Victoria set franchise playoff records for fewest shots against in a period (3), fastest goal to start a game or period (0:11), most goals for in a road game (6) and most goals in one period (4). . . .


 In Kennewick, Wash., F Tyson Baillie scored his first goal of these playoffs and added two assists to help the Kelowna Rockets to a 5-3 victory over the Tri-City Americans. . . . The Rockets lead the series 3-1 and can wrap it up at home on Friday night. . . . Kelowna, which got a goal and an assist from each of D Madison Bowey and F Justin Kirkland, scored the game’s first three goals. . . . The Americans got to within 3-1 and 4-2 but weren’t able to close the gap to a singleton. . . . F Phil Tot and F Brian Williams each scored his third goal of the series for the Americans. . . . Kelowna G Jordon Cooke stopped 25 shots, while Tri-City’s Eric Comrie turned aside 27. . . . The Rockets were 1-for-5 on the PP; the Americans were 0-for-4. . . .
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THE FIRST ROUND (best-of-seven; all times local):
(x - if necessary)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
EDMONTON (1) vs. PRINCE ALBERT (8)
(Edmonton wins, 4-0)
Season series: Edmonton, 2-1-1; Prince Albert, 2-2-0.
Saturday: Prince Albert 3 at Edmonton 5 (6,534)
Sunday: Prince Albert 1 at Edmonton 3 (6,584)
Tuesday: Edmonton 4 at Prince Albert 3 (2,881)
Wednesday: Edmonton 6 at Prince Albert 2 (2,727)
INJURIES
Edmonton: F Brandon Baddock, 3-5 weeks; D Blake Orban, indefinite; F Reid Petryk, day-to-day.
Prince Albert: D Graeme Craig, indefinite.
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REGINA (2) vs. BRANDON (7)
(Brandon leads, 3-0)
Season series: Brandon, 5-3-0; Regina, 3-3-2.
Saturday: Brandon 6 at Regina 3 (6,200)
Sunday: Brandon 8 at Regina 4 (5,014)
Wednesday: Regina 4 at Brandon 5 (3,547)
Friday: Regina at Brandon, 7:30 p.m.
x-Saturday: Brandon at Regina, 7 p.m.
x-Monday: Regina vs. Brandon, at Dauphin, Man., 7 p.m.
x-Wednesday: Brandon at Regina, 7 p.m.
INJURIES
Brandon: None.
Regina: D Tye Hand, indefinite.
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CALGARY (3) vs. KOOTENAY (6)
(Series tied, 2-2)
Season series: Calgary, 4-4-0; Kootenay, 4-2-2.
Thursday: Kootenay 5 at Calgary 2 (6,649)
Saturday: Kootenay 0 at Calgary 5 (9,019)
Monday: Calgary 7 at Kootenay 6 (OT) (1,992)
Tuesday: Calgary 4 at Kootenay 5 (2,102)
Thursday: Kootenay at Calgary, 7 p.m.
Saturday: Calgary at Kootenay, 7 p.m.
x-Monday: Kootenay at Calgary, 7 p.m.
INJURIES
Calgary: F Cal Babych, day-to-day; F Connor Rankin, day-to-day.
Kootenay: F Tim Bozon, indefinite; F Ryan Chynoweth, indefinite; D Tyler King, day-to-day; D Tanner Faith, 3-5 months.
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MEDICINE HAT (4) vs. SWIFT CURRENT (5)
(Series tied, 2-2)
Season series: Medicine Hat, 2-2-0; Swift Current, 2-2-0.
Friday: Swift Current 1 at Medicine Hat 2 (3,512)
Saturday: Swift Current 2 at Medicine Hat 4 (3743)
Tuesday: Medicine Hat 1 at Swift Current 3 (2,840)
Wednesday: Medicine Hat 2 at Swift Current 3 (OT) (2,890)
Saturday: Swift Current at Medicine Hat, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday: Medicine Hat at Swift Current, 7 p.m.
x-Tuesday: Swift Current at Medicine Hat, 7 p.m.
INJURIES
Medicine Hat: F Anthony Ast, indefinite; F Gavin Broadhead, day-to-day; F Hunter Shinkaruk, indefinite.
Swift Current: None.
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WESTERN CONFERENCE
KELOWNA (1) vs. TRI-CITY (8)
(Kelowna leads, 3-1)
Season series: Kelowna, 4-4-0; Tri-City, 0-3-1.
Saturday: Tri-City 1 at Kelowna 3 (5,827)
Sunday: Tri-City 1 at Kelowna 3 (5,041)
Tuesday: Kelowna 3 at Tri-City 4 (2,010)
Wednesday: Kelowna 5 at Tri-City 3 (2,189)
Friday: Tri-City at Kelowna, 7:30 p.m.
x-Saturday: Kelowna at Tri-City, 7:05 p.m.
x-Tuesday: Tri-City at Kelowna, 7:05 p.m.
(NOTE: Tri-City plays home games in Kennewick, Wash.)
INJURIES
Kelowna: D Jesse Lees, indefinite.
Tri-City: F Taylor Vickerman, indefinite.
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PORTLAND (2) vs. VANCOUVER (7)
(Portland wins, 4-0)
Season series: Portland, 4-0-0; Vancouver, 0-3-1.
Friday: Vancouver 3 at Portland 4 (9,756)
Saturday: Vancouver 0 at Portland 3 (10,947)
Tuesday: Portland 6 at Vancouver 3 (5,680)
Wednesday: Portland 6 at Vancouver 1 (5,142)
INJURIES
Portland: None.
Vancouver: F Tyler Benson, indefinite; G Jared Rathjen, day-to-day; F Jakob Stukel, indefinite; D Dalton Thrower, indefinite.
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VICTORIA (3) vs. SPOKANE (6)
(Victoria leads, 3-0)
Season series: Victoria, 1-3-0; Spokane, 3-1-0.
Saturday: Spokane 1 at Victoria 2 (OT) (6,615)
Sunday: Spokane 3 at Victoria 4 (OT) (4,629)
Wednesday: Victoria 6 at Spokane 1 (3,412)
Thursday: Victoria at Spokane, 7:05 p.m.
x-Saturday: Spokane at Victoria, 7:05 p.m.
x-Monday: Victoria at Spokane, 7:05 p.m.
x-Wednesday: Spokane at Victoria, 7:05 p.m.
INJURIES
Victoria: None.
Spokane: D Colton Bobyk, week-to-week; F Adam Hascic, day-to-day; F Blair Oneschuk, week-to-week.
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SEATTLE (4) vs. EVERETT (5)
(Seattle leads, 3-0)
Season series: Seattle, 5-4-1; Everett, 5-4-1.
Saturday: Everett 1 at Seattle 2 (4,650)
Sunday: Seattle 3 at Everett 1 (4,150)
Tuesday: Everett 3 at Seattle 4 (OT) (5,176)
Friday: Seattle at Everett, 7:35 p.m.
x-Saturday: Everett at Seattle, 7:05 p.m.
x-Monday: Seattle at Everett, 7:05 p.m.
x-Wednesday: Everett at Seattle, 7:05 p.m.
(NOTE: Seattle plays home games in Kent, Wash.)
INJURIES
Seattle: F Connor Honey, indefinite.
Everett: F Kohl Baum, indefinite; F Tyler Sandhu, day-to-day.
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From the Kootenay Ice (@WHLKootenayICE): “Between Games 3 & 4 our fans raised $1,579.27 for the Tim Bozon Trust Fun. Best fans in the world #tb20 #getwelltim”
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One more from the Ice: “Huge high five goes out to local businesses in Cranbrook. They donated $1,525 to the Tim Bozon Trust Fund #kice #tb20 #getwelltim”
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From Darren Steinke (@MHND_Steinke) of the Medicine Hat News: “Always a classic site on the road with #MHTigers in playoffs. Morning skate and Bob Ridley is being interviewed by Regina's CTV.”
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From the Edmonton Oil Kings (@EdmOilKings): “True Story: When we showed up to the Art Hauser Centre for morning skate today, there was a broom sitting outside the locker room #omen?”


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Bozon in critical condition

TIM BOZON

Helene and Philippe Bozon, the parents of Kootenay Ice F Tim Bozon, indicated Wednesday afternoon that their son is in critical condition in Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon.
The WHL and the Ice issued a news release, stating that Bozon was admitted to RUH on Saturday and was “diagnosed with Neisseria Meningitis.”
His parents have been at his bedside since Sunday when they arrived from their home in Cureglia, Switzerland.
According to the news release: “Public health officials are in the process of reviewing the case to ensure all the necessary precautions are taken and anyone who had direct contact with the player receives appropriate treatment.
“The WHL requests the privacy of the family be respected during this most difficult time.”
According to a report by The Canadian Press, “While there are several varieties of meningitis, the particular type Bozon has, Neisseria meningitis, is bacterial and more contagious.”
Dr. Shovita Padhi, deputy medical health officer for the Saskatoon Health Region, told CP that “he way bacterial meningitis spreads is through spit. You need to have very close contact or direct contact with the nose and throat secretions of the individual who became ill.”
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Helene and Philippe Bozon also tweeted a message, via Tim’s account: “Thank you so so much to @WHLKootenayICE and@bladeshockey for the help provided us during our stay by Timmy's side.”
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Many, many messages of support were tweeted on Wednesday, with this one from Brian Cheeseman, the Edmonton Oil Kings’ head athletic therapist, pretty much saying it all: “Sending thoughts & prayers for a speedy recovery out to @timbozon94 and his family. In times like this we are all on the same team #getwell”
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G Patrik Bartosak of the Red Deer Rebels has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings. Bartosak, 20, was a fifth-round selection by the Kings in the 2013 NHL draft. A native of Koprivnice, Czech Republic, Bartosak is 30-24-5, 2.81, .924 this season. In 140 appearances over three seasons, he is 77-48-11, 2.58, .927. . . .
D Cody Corbett of the Edmonton Oil Kings, an undrafted free agent, has signed a three-year entry-level deal with the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche. According to cap geek.com, Corbett, 20, signed a contract that will pay him US$600,000, $625,000 and $625,000 each season in the NHL or $60,000 in the AHL. He also got a $150,000 signing bonus, payable over three years. . . . This season, Corbett has set Oil Kings’ records for most goals (16) and points (56) in a season by a defenceman. Corbett has been with Edmonton since the middle of the 2011-12 season. . . . He has 29 career goals, tying him with Griffin Reinhart for the club record, and has 124 points, which is one shy of Mark Pysyk’s franchise record. . . .
F Brady Brassart of the Calgary Hitmen, who signed earlier this week with the NHL’s Minnesota Wild, will get US$742,500, $842,500 and $925,000 should he play in the NHL and $70,000 in the AHL, again according to cap geek.com. . . . His signing bonus of $277,500 is payable over three years.
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The Portland Winterhawks have added F Skyler McKenzie and D Justin Greer to their roster. . . . McKenzie was an eighth-round selection in the 2013 bantam draft, while Greer was taken in the fourth round in 2012. . . . McKenzie played this season with the midget AAA Sherwood Park, Alta., Kings, while Greer was with the midget AAA Edmonton-South Side Athletic Club Boston Pizza Athletics.
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Judging from his Twitter account, Seattle Thunderbirds F Russell Maxwell has received the assignment for the mission he will go on at some point after this WHL season.
Late Wednesday night, Maxwell (@Russizzle7) tweeted: “I have been called to the Italy Rome mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints!!”
Maxwell, 19, is from Magrath, Alta. Tyler Hansen, one of Maxwell’s best friends, didn’t return to the Kamloops Blazers for his 20-year-old season, choosing instead to go on his mission on behalf of the church. Hansen now is in Argentina.
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IF THE PLAYOFFS BEGAN TODAY:
Eastern Conference
Edmonton (1) vs. Red Deer (8)
Regina (2) vs. Brandon (7)
Calgary (3) vs. Swift Current (6)
Medicine Hat (4) vs. Kootenay (5)
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Western Conference
Kelowna (1) vs. Tri-City (8)
Portland (2) vs. Vancouver (7)
Victoria (3) vs. Everett (6)
Seattle (4) vs. Spokane (5)
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THURSDAY’S WHL GAMES (all times local):
No games scheduled.
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FRIDAY’S WHL GAMES (all times local):
Calgary at Prince Albert, 7 p.m.
Moose Jaw at Saskatoon, 7:05 p.m.
Edmonton at Brandon, 7:30 p.m.
Medicine Hat at Kootenay, 7 p.m.
Regina at Lethbridge, 7 p.m.
Swift Current at Red Deer, 7 p.m.
Seattle at Portland, 7 p.m.
Spokane at Prince George, 7 p.m.
Everett at Tri-City, 7:05 p.m.
Kamloops at Victoria, 7:05 p.m.
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WEDNESDAY’S GAMES:
In Moose Jaw, F Brayden Point and F Jack Rodewald enjoyed four-point outings as the Warriors dumped the Calgary Hitmen, 6-1. . . . Point had three goals, giving him 34, and an assist, while Rodewald had a goal, his 23rd, and three assists. . . . Rodewald, who had 13 points in 124 games over the past two seasons, has 49 points in 53 games this season. . . . Point has 83 points in 67 games after putting up 57 points, 24 of them goals, in 67 games last season. . . . Moose Jaw G Justin Paulic stopped 41 shots. . . . Calgary F Connor Rankin, who left a Tuesday game in Brandon while favouring a shoulder, didn’t play in this one. . . . The Hitmen had picked up at least a point in 13 straight games going into this one. As well, Calgary F Brady Brassart had his point streak snapped at 16 games. . . . The Warriors (18-40-9) won’t make the playoffs. . . . Calgary (44-16-7) is tied with the Edmonton Oil Kings (46-17-3) atop the Eastern Conference. But Edmonton has the tiebreaker (most victories) and a game in hand. . . .

In Regina, F Edgars Kulda scored twice to help the Edmonton Oil Kings to a 5-2 victory over the Pats. . . . The Oil Kings were playing their fourth game in five nights. . . . Kulda broke a 2-2 tie at 4:30 of the second period and then extended the lead to 4-2 at 7:39 of the third. He’s got 28 goals. . . . Edmonton F Curtis Lazar scored his 36th goal, a shorthanded empty-netter, at 19:04 of the third. . . .Lazar also had two assists. . . . Edmonton D Ashton Sautner, whose father, Blaine, is a former head coach of the U of Regina Cougars hockey team, had two assists. . . . F Dryden Hunt scored both Regina goals, both via the PP, giving him 19. Hunt was back in the lineup for the first time after missing seven games with a brain injury. . . . F Boston Leier also returned to Regina’s lineup after being out with a brain injury. . . . Regina G Daniel Wapple left the game at 4:49 of the second period after being wiped out in a goalmouth collision. He was later seen with a walking boot on one foot. Dawson MacAuley came on to finish up in goal. . . . Edmonton (46-17-3) is tied with Calgary atop the Eastern Conference, but the standings show the Oil Kings on top on the basis of more victories (46-44). . . . Regina (37-24-6) leads the East Division by three points over the Swift Current Broncos. Each team has five games remaining. . . .

In Medicine Hat, F Conner Bleackley scored the only goal of the shootout as the Red Deer Rebels got past the Tigers, 2-1. . . . Medicine Hat had been 5-0 in shootouts this season. . . . F Anthony Ast scored for the Tigers, getting his 16th goal of the season at 7:23 of the second period. . . . Bleackley got his 28th at 17:46 of the second to pull the Rebels even. . . . Red Deer G Patrik Bartosak stopped 40 shots through OT and turned aside three shooters in the skills competition, while Medicine Hat’s Marek Langhamer turned aside 34 through OT. . . . Red Deer was 0-for-2 on the PP; Medicine Hat’s PP never got off the bench. . . . The victory moved Red Deer (32-30-5) into sole possession of the Eastern Conference’s last playoff spot, two points up on the Prince Albert Raiders (31-30-5), who hold a game in hand. . . . The Tigers (41-22-4) are headed to a fourth-place finish. They are eight points ahead of the Kootenay Ice (37-25-4). . . .

In Vancouver, F Joel Hamilton scored once and added an assist as the Giants got past the Kamloops Blazers, 2-1. . . . Hamilton broke a 1-1 tie with his 10th goal just 58 seconds into the third period. . . . F Cain Franson also scored for the Giants. He’s got 29 goals. . . . F Jackson Houck had two assists for the winners. . . . The Giants swept the season series, winning seven times in regulation and once in a shootout. . . . Vancouver G Payton Lee lost his shutout bid when F Matt Bellerive scored his 18th goal of the season at 19:08 of the third period. . . . Lee finished with 17 saves, 18 fewer than Bolton Pouliot of the Blazers. . . . Kamloops is on the road because the Tim Hortons Brier (the Canadian men’s curling championship) has taken over Interior Savings Centre. The Blazers are 1-7-0 since leaving home, with a weekend doubleheader scheduled for Victoria. . . . The Giants (31-26-10) are seventh in the Western Conference, five points behind the Everett Silvertips. . . . The Blazers (13-49-5) are last in the conference. . . .

In Kelowna, freshman F Nick Merkley scored two goals to lead the Rockets to a 3-1 victory over the Spokane Chiefs. . . . Merkley, a 16-year-old from Calgary, was the ninth overall selection in the 2012 bantam draft. He’s got 22 goals. . . . Merkley tied the game 1-1 on a PP at 19:57 of the first period and broke the tie at 1:25 of the third. . . . F Myles Bell and F Justin Kirkland each had two assists for Kelowna. . . . With the victory, the Rockets set franchise records for victories (53) and points (110) in a season. The 2012-13 Rockets won 52 games; the 2002-03 team put up 109 points. . . . The WHL record for most victories in a season is 60 (Victoria Cougars, 1980-81); the record for most points is 125 (Brandon Wheat Kings, 1978-79). . . . The Rockets have ?? games remaining, so those marks are out of reach. . . . Kelowna G Jordon Cooke stopped 29 shots in winning for the 37th time this season. That equals his victory total from last season. This season, he is 37-6-4. In his career, he is 90-33-12. . . . The Rockets (53-10-4) lead the overall standings by 11 points over the Portland Winterhawks. . . . Spokane (36-24-6) is fifth in the Western Conference, six points behind the Seattle Thunderbirds and one ahead of the Everett Silvertips. . . .

In Kennewick, Wash., the Portland Winterhawks scored the game’s first three goals and went on to a 5-1 victory over the Tri-City Americans. . . . Portland now has 101 points, the fourth straight season it has reached the 100-point barrier. Only two other franchises have put together four straight 100-point seasons -- the Vancouver Giants (2005-09) and Kamloops Jr. Oilers/Blazers (1983-86). . . . The Winterhawks got goals from five players, including D Anton Cederholm, who got his third of the season, and D Josh Hanson, who scored his second. . . . F Chase De Leo got No. 37 for Portland. . . . Portland G Corbin Boes stopped 27 shots. . . . Winterhawks F Nic Petan drew one assist and moved into a tie with Spokane Chiefs F Mitch Holmberg atop the WHL scoring race, each with 107 points. Holmberg was held pointless in the Chiefs’ 3-1 loss in Kelowna. . . . The Winterhawks (48-13-5) will win the U.S. Division and will be the Western Conference’s No. 2 seed. . . . The Americans (28-30-8) are eighth in the conference, eight points behind Vancouver.
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Please keep Tim Bozon (@timbozon94) and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
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How a beer fridge got to Indonesia . . . Corbett in Oil Kings' record book

The City of Swift Current is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and the Broncos are helping out with the party. The WHL team will join in the celebrations on March 12 when the Saskatoon Blades visit. You can look for the Broncos in these nifty-looking sweaters that were designed by the talented Taylor Vause, a former Broncos player. . . . The above images were tweeted by Vause. The top illustration shows front and back views of the sweaters; the bottom illustration includes Vause's explanations.
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What is happening in Ukraine is the biggest story in our world today. David Remnick of The New Yorker has a look at the situation right here.
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No doubt you have seen the TV commercial in which two buddies deliver a fridge full of Molson Canadian to a friend in Indonesia. Well, Stu Cowan, the sports editor of the Montreal Gazette, has the story, meaning you should click right here and meet Morgan Girouard, who had no idea that two pals from Ottawa were on their way for a visit and that they were bringing gifts.
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Cycle of Lies: The Fall of Lance Armstrong, written by Juliet Macur, a sports columnist with The New York Times, is due from HarperCollins this week. If you’re wondering about it, give this excerpt right here a read. It’s devastating.
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Dean Holden, who has coached in the WHL with the Moose Jaw Warriors and Tri-City Americans, is the new head coach of the Korean women’s national team. Holden, 48, the first foreigner to hold that position, signed with the Korean Ice Hockey Association to guide the women’s team through the 2014 Division II Group A world championship in Italy and to review its programs in advance of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games for which it is the host country. . . . According to an IIHF news release, “Holden arrived in Korea on Wednesday and already started to lay out his road map for Korean women’s hockey development towards the 2018 Olympics on home ice in PyeongChang.” . . . Holden has extensive coaching experience at various levels, including three years as the women’s coach at the U of Calgary. . . . The 2014 IIHF women’s world championship Division II Group A is scheduled for Asiago, Italy, April 6-12.
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IF THE PLAYOFFS BEGAN TODAY:
Eastern Conference
Edmonton (1) vs. Red Deer/Prince Albert (8)
Regina (2) vs. Brandon (7)
Calgary (3) vs. Swift Current (6)
Medicine Hat (4) vs. Kootenay (5)
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Western Conference
Kelowna (1) vs. Tri-City (8)
Portland (2) vs. Vancouver (7)
Victoria (3) vs. Everett (6)
Seattle (4) vs. Spokane (5)
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MONDAY’S WHL GAMES (all times local):
No games scheduled.
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TUESDAY’S WHL GAMES (all times local):
Calgary at Brandon, 7 p.m.
Moose Jaw at Prince Albert, 7 p.m.
Edmonton at Swift Current, 7 p.m.
Red Deer at Kootenay, 7 p.m.
Kelowna at Everett, 7:05 p.m.
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SUNDAY’S GAMES:
In Edmonton, D Cody Corbett set a pair of franchise records as the Oil Kings beat the Saskatoon Blades, 3-0. . . . Corbett, who had gone 17 games without a goal, scored the game’s first goal, a PP snipe at 0:56. It was his 16th goal and his 56th point, both single-season franchise records for a defenceman. Martin Gernat recorded 55 points in 2011-12, while Keegan Lowe had 15 goals last season. . . . G Tyler Santos stopped 20 shots for the third shutout of his freshman season. That’s not bad considering that he’s been in 11 games. . . . Edmonton F Mitch Moroz scored his 33rd goal but couldn’t beat Saskatoon G Troy Trombley on a second-period penalty shot. . . . Trombley finished with 38 saves. . . . The Oil Kings had lost their previous two home games. . . . Ch-ch-ching! There was a multi-fight situation at 19:35 of the third period. . . . Prior to the game, the Blades announced that D Jordan Thomson will stay with them through the end of the season. Thomson, the fourth overall selection in the 2011 bantam draft, was acquired from the Kamloops Blazers in January and had been with the MJHL’s Dauphin Kings. It is likely that Thomson will return to Dauphin when the Blades’ season ends. . . . Daniel Nugent-Bowman of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix tweeted that Blades GM Lorne Molleken “said no commitment from Thomson for next season, but added that all signs are positive.” . . . The Blades have shut down G Alex Moodie for the rest of the season with an undisclosed injury. Moodie, a Winnipegger who will turn 19 on March 16, played two games in January. He returned on Feb. 22, only to be injured again, this time ending his season. . . . The Oil Kings (45-16-3) and Calgary Hitmen (43-15-7) remain tied atop the Eastern Conference. However, Edmonton has more victories and one game in hand. . . . The Blades (16-45-5) have lost six in a row. . . .

In Swift Current, F Colby Cave and F Glenn Gawdin scored in the shootout as the Broncos beat the Brandon Wheat Kings, 4-3. . . . Neither Cave nor Gawdin scored in regulation time, but each took one minor penalty in a game in which only two were handed out. . . . F Andrew Johnson scored twice for the Broncos, giving him 10 this season. His second goal, at 19:18 of the second period, gave his guys a 3-2 lead. . . . Brandon F Jayce Hawryluk tied it with his second goal of the game -- he’s got 24 -- at 17:21 of the third. . . . F Tim McGauley scored his 20th goal giving Brandon a 2-1 lead at 13:32 of the second. The Wheat Kings now have six 20-goal scorers, tying with the Portland Winterhawks for the most in the WHL. . . . Broncos F Jay Merkley, with his 27th, tied it at 14:58 of the second. . . . Hawryluk has put together five straight multi-point games. In that stretch, he has 14 points, seven of them goals. . . . Bruce Luebke, the radio voice of the Wheat Kings, notes that Brandon has won only four of 13 games that have gone to OT or a shootout this season. . . . The Wheat Kings had won their pevious three games. . . . Among Brandon’s scratches was F Jens Meilleur, who didn’t finish Saturday’s 8-5 victory in Saskatoon. . . . The Broncos (33-24-9) are sixth in the Eastern Conference, three points behind the Kootenay Ice and fouir ahead of Brandon (31-26-9). . . .

In Kent, Wash., F Matt Fonteyne broke a 1-1 tie at 18:35 of the second period and the Everett Silvertips went on to beat the host Seattle Thunderbirds, 3-1. . . . F Ivan Nikolishin scored his 16th goal, via the PP, at 15:03 of the first period for Everett. . . . Seattle F Jaimen Yakubowski tied it with his 10th at 5:43 of the second. . . . Everett F Carson Stadnyk iced it with his 19th goal, an empty-netter on a PP, at 19:21 of the third. . . . D Mirco Mueller had three assists for Everett. . . . G Austin Lotz stopped 24 shots for the Silvertips, while Taran Kozun turned aside 27 for Seattle. . . . Seattle had ended the Portland Winterhawks’ franchise-record 21-game winning streak the previous night. . . . With Seattle’s loss, the Winterhawks clinched their second straight U.S. Division title and their third in four seasons. Was it only 2009 when this franchise won 19 games? Was it only 2008 when this franchise won 11 games? . . . Everett F Zane Jones returned to the lineup after missing 18 games with an undisclosed injury. . . . Everett (33-23-9) is 5-0-1 in its last six and 7-2-1 in its last 10. That has it in sixth spot in the Western Conference, three points behind the Spokane Chiefs. Each team has seven games remaining. . . . Seattle (39-20-6) is fourth in the conference, 10 points behind Victoria and six ahead of Spokane.
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TWEET OF THE DAY:
From Medicine Hat Tigers GM/head coach Shaun Clouston (@cluey15): “All the best to @clouston25 and @blazerhockey the rest of the way. Keep playing hard. It always pays back eventually. ALWAYS!!! #prouddad”
Kamloops D Connor Clouston (@clouston25) is Shaun’s son.
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From WHL Facts (@WHLFacts): “2x - On Jan. 31st, @WHLpats Colby Williams (@ColbyWilliams22) had 15 pts in his first 50 games... Since then, he has 15 pts in his last 14.”

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Happy 90th birthday to Howie Meeker!

THE MacBETH REPORT:
F Igor Valeev (Lethbridge, Saskatoon, Swift Current, 1998-2000) has been reassigned by Traktor Chelyabinsk (Russia, KHL) to Chelmet Chelyabinsk. Valeev will be captain of Chelmet (Vysshaya Liga). This season, he was pointless in six games with Traktor, after putting up six points, two of them goals, in 13 games with Chelmet.
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For your viewing pleasure . . . Eric Veilleux, the head coach of the QMJHL's Baie-Comeau Drakkar, was suspended for two games and fined $1,000 for this tantrum right here.
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The OHL's Erie Otters had their 11-game winning streak come to an end Sunday afternoon when they dropped a 6-2 decision to the Knights in London. Former WHL player and coach Kris Knoblauch is the head coach of the Otters, who establishd a franchise record with the streak. . . . Meanwhile, the Guelph Storm is on a 10-game winning streak after beating the visiting Sudbury Wolves, 3-1, on Sunday. Here’s Tony Saxon in the Guelph Mercury: “It was the first time in the past nine home games that the Storm has failed to score at least five goals and send the crowd home with free chicken wings as part of an in-house promotion.” . . . The Storm next plays Thursday in London.
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Whatever happened to Howie Meeker? Roy MacGregor of The Globe and Mail caught up to him at his home in Parksville, B.C. No, Meeker hasn't gotten less opinionated. Check out that piece right here . . . and Happy Birthday to Howie, who turns 90 today.
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Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated writes a weekly media column that is terrific. If you haven't already, check it out; you may become a weekly reader. This week's entry is right here.
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If you enjoy looking at quality hockey photos, click right here and check out some of the work of Chris Mast from Friday's game between the Brandon Wheat Kings and host Everett Silvertips.
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SUNDAY:
In Regina, the Pats scored three first-period goals and went on to beat the Moose Jaw Warriors, 3-1. . . . F Boston Leier scored the game's first two goals, giving him 12 on the season. . . . The Pats broke open a scoreless game with three goals in 4:15 in the last five minutes of the period. They scored one at even strength, one on the PP and one shorthanded. . . . After the game, the Pats released veteran G Mac Engel, 20, and acquired D Jesse Zgraggen, 20, from the Calgary Hitmen for a fourth-round pick in the 2014 bantam draft. Zgraggen became available because D Alex Roach, 20, returned to the Hitmen from the Los Angeles Kings organization. . . . Zgraggen was acquired by Calgary from the Victoria Royals last season. This season, he had eight points, one of them a goal, in 16 games with the Hitmen. . . . Engel wasn't eligible to play yesterday because he and Pats F Dyson Stevenson are awaiting suspension news from the WHL office for their roles in some antics late in Friday's 8-1 loss to the host Prince Albert Raiders. . . . Regina did have F Connor Gay back in the lineup after he missed four games with a brain injury. . . . With Engel suspended, Regina had Braven MacPherson of the junior B Regina Capitals on the bench in support of G Dawson MacAuley. . . .

In Lethbridge, F Jayce Hawryluk enjoyed his second consecutive three-goal game as the Brandon Wheat Kings dumped the Hurricanes, 6-2. . . . Hawryluk, who has nine goals, also had an assist. He has eight points, including six goals, in two games since being a healthy scratch. In 17 games, he has 19 points. . . . The Wheat Kings finished their road swing at 2-4. They are 9-9-0 overall. . . . The Hurricanes have played 18 games, meaning they are at the one-quarter pole, and have only two victories. . . . Lethbridge F Tyler Wong, who had five goals in 54 games as a freshman last season, scored once. He now has 15 points, including eight goals, in 18 games. . . .With G Curtis Honey out with an undisclosed injury, Brandon again had Jason Hadaller on the bench backing up Jordan Papirny. Hadaller, 16, is from Seattle and is the first player out of Everett Youth Hockey to dress for a WHL game. . . . Lethbridge G Corbin Boes, who was acquired over the summer from Brandon, went the distance with 27 saves. . . .

In Calgary, the Edmonton Oil Kings opened a five-game road trip with a 4-2 victory over the Hitmen. . . . The Oil Kings scored the game's last three goals, including one from F Curtis Lazar, who has 11 snipes this season. . . . Edmonton D Cody Corbett had two assists in his first game after not playing since Oct. 11 because of an undisclosed injury. . . . D Alex Roach, 20, played his first game with the Hitmen after being returned by the NHL's Los Angeles Kings. . . . Calgary D Jaynen Rissling scored his fifth goal of the season in his 17th game. That equals his output in each of his previous three seasons, in 61, 55 and 67 games. . . .

In Cranbrook, the Tri-City Americans scored the game's last two goals to beat the Kootenay Ice, 4-2. . . . F Brian Williams broke a 2-2 tie with his 13th goal at 10:21 of the third period and F Marcus Messier later added an empty-netter. . . . Tri-City's Comrie Connection struck again, too. G Eric Comrie stopped 30 shots, while younger brother Ty scored his second goal in as many games. . . . F Parker Bowles had three assists for the Americans, giving him five points in three games since he came off the injured list. . . . The attendance was announced at 1,987. Ice owner/GM Jeff Chynoweth confirmed that it's the smallest crowd in Kootenay franchise history. . . . The Americans went 2-0-1 as they played three games in as many nights in the Central Division.

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Greg and Beate Evtushevski (left) turned a 10th anniversary fund-raiser
into scholarships. Here, they present a cheque to Pauline Kirk and Anne
Pistawka of the Central Okanagan Bursary & Scholarship Society (COBSS).

THE MacBETH REPORT:
F Brooks Laich (Moose Jaw, Seattle, 2000-03) signed a lockout contract with Kloten (Switzerland, NL A). He had 16 goals and 25 assists in 82 games with the Washington Capitals last season.
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The Prince Albert Raiders announced a loss of $63,906 at their annual meeting on Thursday. Perry Bergson of the Prince Albert Daily Herald was there and his story is right here.
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When Greg Evtushevski (Kamloops, 1982-86) and his wife, Beate, set up shop in Kelowna following his hockey career, they had no idea what the future held for them.
Well, they recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of Chevy’s Source for Sports. And they did it in style, with a fund-raiser that included a silent auction.
When it was all over, they had raised more than $41,000, money that has been earmarked for two annual post-secondary scholarships worth $2,000 for graduating students in the Okanagan.
Well done, Beate and Chevy!
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F Kyle Haas, 18, has joined the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats after clearing WHL waivers. Haas, from Calgary, had four points and 106 penalty minutes in 46 games with the Saskatoon Blades last season.
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There was an interesting development in Saskatoon late Friday afternoon when the Blades named F Brenden Walker as captain. Walker, 20, was acquired from the Brandon Wheat Kings at the 2012 bantam draft.
In that deal, the Blades got Walker and a conditional second-round pick in the 2013 bantam draft for a second-round selection in 2012, a second-rounder in 2013 and a third-rounder in 2014. The Wheat Kings also have the option to swap 2014 first-round picks with Saskatoon.
Most teams name a captain and three alternates — some teams just go with alternates — with either the coaching staff doing the picking, or players voting on it.
In Saskatoon, GM/head coach Lorne Molleken and his staff selected Walker and will leave it up to him to choose his alternates, something that is likely to happen today.
What makes all of this even more interesting is that D Duncan Siemens, Saskatoon’s captain last season, is still with the Blades.
“We decided to go in a different direction this year,” Molleken told Daniel Nugent-Bowman of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix.
The Blades are the host team for the 2013 Memorial Cup. Walker has experience in the tournament, having played in it with the host Wheat Kings in 2010.
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SOME FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHT STUFF:
The Calgary Hitmen won the Battle of Alberta, beating the Oil Kings 4-1 in Edmonton. . . . The Hitmen improved to 3-0-0, while the Oil Kings slipped to 3-1-0. . . . The Oil Kings won their last 11 regular-season games last season and the first two of this season. Prior to last night, they last lost a regular-season game on Feb. 22 when the visiting Kelowna Rockets put up a 6-4 victory. . . . Edmonton G Laurent Brossoit became the franchise’s career leader in saves, passing Torrie Jung (2,437). . . . The Oil Kings were without D Cody Corbett, who is in Buffalo for tonight’s All-American Prospects Game. With Corbett gone, the Oil Kings brought in D Aaron Irving from the AJHL’s Bonnyville Pontiacs. Irving was the ninth overall selection in the 2011 bantam draft. . . . Edmonton also is without D Martin Gernat (shoulder) and D Keegan Lowe (undisclosed injury). . . .

The Kootenay Ice posted the franchise’s 600th victory, beating the visiting Regina Pats, 4-1. . . . The Pats remain without head coach Pat Conacher, who left the team early in the week to deal with an undisclosed family matter. . . . Regina G Matt Hewitt (ill) sat this one out. G Teagan Sacher stopped 18 shots in his first WHL start. . . .

The Brandon Wheat Kings ran their record to 4-0 with a 5-4 shootout victory over the Broncos in Swift Current. . . . Brandon D Eric Roy got the winner. . . . The Broncos have lost three times in four games — twice in OT and once in a shootout — but have points in all four. . . . Brandon F Nick Buonassisi had two goals and an assist, with D Ryan Pulock adding one of each. They are leading the WHL scoring race, each with nine points in four games. . . .

F Dakota Conroy, acquired this week from the Victoria Royals, got the winner as the host Prince Albert Raiders dumped the Moose Jaw Warriors, 5-2. . . . G Luke Siemens, who spent last season with the Warriors, stopped 25 shots for the Raiders. “No better feeling than beating a team you used to play for,” he tweeted after the game. . . . The Raiders have started 2-0-1. . . . D Shayne Gwinner, another offseason acquisition from the Warriors, had a goal for the Raiders. . . .

The Medicine Hat Tigers, down 3-0 at 5:02 of the first period, roared back to beat the Rebels 5-4 in Red Deer. . . . Including playoff games, the Tigers have won 12 straight games in Red Deer. . . . The Rebels are 0-3 after giving up a shorthanded goal and two PP scores. . . . Rebels D Mathew Dumba completed his two-game suspension. . . .

The Prince George Cougars ran their record to 3-0 with a 4-3 victory over the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds. . . . The Cougars scored three straight goals to erase a 3-1 deficit. . . . Prince George got its first goal from F Colin Jacobs, on a penalty shot. Jacobs was acquired from Seattle over the summer for D Jesse Forsberg. . . The goal was Jacobs’ third of the season, with two of them coming via the penalty shot. . . . He has eight points in three games. . . . Cougars freshman D Mark McNulty left early with an undisclosed injury. . . .

G Cam Lanigan posted his first career shutout as the host Portland Winterhawks beat the Kelowna Rockets, 1-0. . . . Lanigan, 20, was picked up off waivers from the Kamloops Blazers over the summer. He made 31 saves in beating the Rockets. . . . Lanigan was appearing in his 115th regular-season game. . . . The Rockets (0-2-1) have lose three straight one-goal games. . . . Kelowna was without F J.T. Barnett (knee), D Mitchell Chapman (ankle) and D Jesse Lees (flu). . . . Portland D Seth Jones left after the game for Buffalo, where he will play in tonight’s All-American Prospects Game.

The Victoria Royals won their third straight game, beating the visiting Kamloops Blazers 4-3 in a shootout. . . . F Logan Nelson, who had a goal and an assist in regulation time, scored the only goal of the shootout. . . . Sophomore Kamloops F Cole Ully scored two first-period goals, the second two-goal game of his career. He scored nine goals last season, with two of them coming Oct. 21 in a 7-4 victory over the host Lethbridge Hurricanes. . . . The Blazers were without G Cole Cheveldave (suspected knee injury), who backed up, D Tyler Hansen (concussion) and F Brendan Ranford (AHL-Hamilton Bulldogs). . . . Victoria D Tyler Stahl served the final game of a six-game suspension. . . .

The Everett Silvertips won their first game of the season, 5-3 over the Giants in Vancouver. . . . Everett is 1-2-1. . . . The Giants are 0-3-0. . . . Vancouver G Liam Liston gave up four goals on nine shots and left early in the third period. . . . Vancouver head coach Don Hay has indicated that freshman G Tyler Fuhr will start Sunday against the visiting Spokane Chiefs. . . . In three losses, the Giants have yet to hold a lead.
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TWEET OF THE DAY:
From Brayden Cuthbert (@bcuthbert56), who has been dealing with post-concussion syndrome for more than 20 months: “Well, looks like I'll be in the line up tonight. First time since Jan.22/11. Its been a long road. #615days #LongTimeNoCelly #LETSGO #PUCK”
The Moose Jaw Warriors announced on Sept. 17 that they had assigned Cuthbert to the SJHL’s Melville Millionaires.
However, he’s now with the MJHL’s Neepawa Natives. He played Friday night and picked up two assists in a 4-3 loss to the visiting Portage Terriers. Cuthbert was named the game’s third start.
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For today’s good read, don’t miss this piece right here by Dan Bickley, a columnist with the Arizona Republic.
Bob Francis was the NHL’s coach of the year not that long ago. Now he needs a walker to help him get around. He doesn’t know what is wrong — he continues to search for answers — but wonders if his problems aren’t concussion-related.
“I used to pray for everyone but myself," Francis tells Bickley. "I thought it was hypocritical to ask for anything yourself. But I'll admit it: I pray for myself nowadays."

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much.