WHL Roundup: Rockets keep rolling with 4-3 shootout win over Thunderbirds

It took a shootout but the Kelowna Rockets kept rolling.

Tyson Baillie, Damon Severson and Justin Kirkland all scored in the shootout as Kelowna edged the Seattle Thunderbirds 4-3 on Tuesday in Western Hockey League action.

The Rockets have now won nine in a row, lifting them to the best win percentage in the WHL and first in the B.C. Division.

Damon Severson and Ryan Olsen scored on the power play for Kelowna (16-2-2), while captain Madison Bowey had an even-strength goal.

Jackson Whistle made 43 saves through regulation and overtime and turned aside Shea Theodore, Alexander Delnov and Ryan Gropp in the third, fourth and fifth rounds of the shootout.

Ryan Gropp, Alexander Delnov and Roberts Lipsbergs supplied the offence for Seattle (12-8-4). Mathew Barzal and Branden Troock scored for the Thunderbirds in the shootout.

Danny Mumaugh made 47 saves for Seattle and stopped Myles Bell and Cole Linaker in the shootout.

Kelowna went 2 for 5 on the power play, while Seattle went 2 for 4 with the man advantage.

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WHEAT KINGS 3 BRONCOS 2 (SO)

SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — Peter Quenneville was the lone scorer in the shootout as Brandon edged the Broncos 3-2.

Rihards Bukarts and Tim McGauley scored in regulation time for the Wheat Kings (13-11-0), while Jordan Papirny made 25 saves.

Colby Cave and Glenn Gawdin replied for Swift Current (15-9-3). Eetu Laurikainen stopped 47 shots over in regulation and extra time.

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SILVERTIPS 3 ICE 2

CRANBROOK, B.C. — Kohl Bauml's power-play goal late in the second period was the eventual winner as Everett edged Kootenay 3-2.

Dawson Leedahl and Joshua Winquist also scored for the Silvertips (16-4-4), while Austin Lotz turned aside 31 shots for the win.

Luke Philp and Austin Vetterl supplied the offence for the Ice (12-11-2). Wyatt Hoflin made 19 saves in net.

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ROYALS 2 BLAZERS 1

KAMLOOPS, B.C. — Tyler Soy and Steven Hodges both scored on the power play as Victoria downed the Blazers 2-1.

Patrik Polivka made 42 saves for the Royals (14-10-1).

Chase Souto was the lone scorer for Kamloops (6-15-3), while Taran Kozun made 33 saves.

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AMERICANS 2 GIANTS 1 (OT)

KENNEWICK, Wash. — Parker Bowles scored 1:32 into overtime as Tri-City slipped past Vancouver 2-1.

Brian Williams scored with eight seconds left in the first period to tie it 1-1 for the Americans (14-10-2). Evan Sarthou stopped 37 shots for the win.

Travis McEvoy opened scoring for the Giants (10-11-4) and Jared Rathjen turned aside 15 of 17 shots.