WHL Roundup: Pollock scores twice, Edmonton hands Kootenay 12th straight loss

Brett Pollock (Photo from Eliteprospects.com/© Dan Hickling)

EDMONTON – Brett Pollock scored twice and assisted on another as the Edmonton Oil Kings snapped their five-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the struggling Kootenay Ice on Saturday in Western Hockey League action.

Brandon Baddock and Lane Bauer added a goal an assist for the Oil Kings (14-19-3) while Aaron Irving scored the other goal. Dysin Mayo chipped in with two assists.

Jason Wenzel and Jesse Zaharichuk supplied the offence for the Ice (6-28-2), who have now dropped 12 games in a row.

Edmonton’s Patrick Dea made 20 saves for the win as Declan Hobbs kicked out 35-of-40 shots for Kootenay.

The Oil Kings went 3 for 4 on the power play while the Ice scored once on five chances with the man advantage.

Warriors 4 Pats 3 (OT)

REGINA – Marc McNulty scored at 4:19 of the extra period and Zach Sawchenko made 41 saves as Moose Jaw edged the Pats.

Ryan Bowen had a pair of goals in regulation for the Warriors (17-12-5) and Tristin Langan scored the other. Jesse Shynkaruk had three assists.

Colby Williams, Austin Wagner and Taylor Cooper scored for Regina (15-15-5), with Adam Brooks drawing an assist on all three goals.

Tyler Brown made 22 saves in defeat.

Blazers 3 Broncos 0

SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. – Connor Ingram stopped all 33 shots his way as Kamloops blanked the Broncos.

Jake Kryski struck twice for the Blazers (17-11-4) and Ryan Rehill added the other.

Landon Bow kicked out 28-of-30 shots for Swift Current (10-20-4), which dropped its third game in a row.

Raiders 5 Wheat Kings 2

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. – Ian Scott made 25 saves and Brendan Guhle’s first-period goal stood up as the winner as the Raiders held off Brandon.

Jesse Lees, Jordan Tkatch, Kolten Olynek and Luke Coleman also found the back of the net for Prince Albert (20-11-3).

Tyler Coulter and Reid Duke scored for the Wheat Kings (21-11-3), who had their three-game win streak halted. Jordan Papirny turned away 31-of-35 shots in defeat.

Blades 5 Rockets 3

SASKATOON – Wyatt Sloboshan had a pair of goals and Evan Smith made 25 saves as the Blades downed Kelowna.

Cameron Hebig and Connor Gay each had a goal and two assists for Saskatoon (13-17-3) while Nick Zajac produced a goal and a helper.

Tyson Baillie scored twice for the Rockets (25-9-1) and Justin Kirkland added the other. Jackson Whistle stopped 28-of-33 shots in a losing cause.

Kelowna defenceman Cal Foote was handed a major penalty and game misconduct in the first period for checking to the head.

Tigers 7 Hitmen 5

CALGARY – Cole Sanford and Max Gerlach each scored twice and Matt Bradley broke a 5-5 deadlock at 18:27 of the third as Medicine Hat slipped past the Hitmen.

Mason Shaw and Tyler Preziuso also scored for the Tigers (12-19-3). Nick Schneider got the win after making 25 saves in 35:03 of relief. Mack Shields started in net and was yanked after allowing four goals on 13 shots.

Bryce Platt and Carsen Twarynski had two goals apiece for Calgary (22-13-2), which got another from Taylor Sanheim. Cody Porter gave up four goals on 13 shots and found himself on the bench for Nik Amundrud, who took the loss after making eight saves in 27:56 of relief.

Hurricanes 6 Rebels 1

RED DEER, Alta. – Giorgio Estephan and Ryley Lindgren each had a goal and an assist as Lethrbidge beat the Rebels for its fourth straight victory.

Kord Pankewicz, Egor Babenko, Barrett Sheen and Brady Reagan also scored for the Hurricanes (24-11-0), who got a 25-save performance from Jayden Sittler.

Wyatt Johnson kept Red Deer (23-12-0) from being shut out. Rylan Toth stopped 16-of-20 shots in 30 minutes of action before giving way to Trevor Martin, who made 11 saves in relief.

Cougars 8 Royals 2

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – Brad Morrison had two goals and two assists and Chase Witala had a goal and three helpers as the Cougars hammered Victoria.

Jesse Gabrielle, Brogan O’Brien, Shane Collins, Jared Bethune and Kolby Johnson also scored for Prince George (21-11-2), which got a 31-save outing from Nick McBride. Joseph Carvalho tacked on three assists.

Alex Forsberg and Vladimir Bobylev found the back of the net for the Royals (21-12-2). Griffen Outhouse stopped 19-of-23 shots in 26:27 of action. Coleman Vollrath kicked out 17-of-21 shots after taking over for Outhouse.

Giants 2 Silvertips 1

EVERETT, Wash. – Tyler Benson scored the go-ahead goal at 13:46 of the third period as Vancouver edged the Silvertips.

Chase Lang also scored for the Giants (12-19-5) and Ryan Kubic made 26 saves for the win.

Connor Dewar was the lone scorer for Everett (19-11-2), which had its four-game win streak snapped. Carter Hart turned aside 25-of-27 shots in a losing cause.

Thunderbirds 6 Americans 3

KENNEWICK, Wash. – Nolan Volcan and Ryan Gropp both scored twice as Seattle doubled up Tri-City to halt its three-game skid.

Owen Seidel and Matthew Wedman rounded out the attack for the Thunderbirds (19-11-3). Logan Flodell earned the win by stopping 19-of-20 shots in relief after taking over for Taz Burman, who lasted just 6:10 into the first period after giving up two goals on five shots.

Jeff Rayman, Michael Rasmussen and Juuso Valimaki responded for the Americans (14-19-1), who lost for the first time in four outings. Evan Sarthou made 24 saves in defeat.

Chiefs 5 Winterhawks 4 (OT)

SPOKANE, Wash. – Kailer Yamamoto’s second goal came 50 seconds into overtime as the Chiefs toppled Portland to end a four-game losing streak.

Markson Bechtold scored once and set up three more and Tyson Helgesen had a goal and two helpers for Spokane (17-13-4), while Jason Fram added a goal and an assist. Tyson Verhelst made 25 saves for the victory.

Rihards Bukarts scored three times for the Winterhawks (16-16-1) and assisted on Evan Weinger’s goal to complete a four-point night. Michael Bullion stopped 27-of-32 shots in a losing effort.