WHL roundup: Kindel scores three as Hitmen beat Blades 5-4 in OT

SASKATOON, Sask. — Ben Kindel scored his third goal of the night 29 seconds into overtime to lift the visiting Calgary Hitmen to a 5-4 Western Hockey League victory over the Saskatoon Blades on Saturday at the SaskTel Centre.

Kindel, who also had an assist, gave the Hitmen a 4-2 lead in the second period, but the Blades rallied in the third to force overtime.

Oliver Tulk and Carter Yakemchuk also scored for the Hitmen (14-9-3-1), who had half of the game's 52 total shots.

Brandon Lisowsky scored twice for the East Division-leading Blades (17-6-2-2), while Hudson Kibblewhite and Tanner Molendyk netted singles.

Elsewhere in the WHL on Saturday:

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WINTERHAWKS 7 GIANTS 2

PORTLAND, Ore. — Tyson Jugnauth had six assists and Kyle Chyzowski had two goals and an assist as the Portland Winterhawks whipped the visiting Vancouver Giants 7-2.

Diego Buttazzoni also scored twice for the Winterhawks (14-11-2-0), while Tyson Yaremko, Alex Weiermair and Kyle McDonough netted singles.

Colton Roberts and Mazden Leslie scored power-play goals for the Giants (12-11-4-0), who were outshot 43-24.

The teams were tied 1-1 after the first period, but the Winterhawks took a 5-2 lead into the third.

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COUGARS 6 BLAZERS 3

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — Hunter Laing scored twice and added an assist as the Prince George Cougars beat the visiting Kamloops Blazers 6-3.

Aiden Foster, Riley Heidt, Carson Carels and Koehn Ziemmer also scored for the Cougars (15-8-3-2), who outshot the Blazers 45-28.

Jordan Keller scored twice for the Blazers (12-16-1-0), while Emmitt Finnie netted a single and had two assists.

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WHEAT KINGS 7 RAIDERS 3

BRANDON, Man. — Matteo Michels scored twice and added an assist as the Brandon Wheat Kings defeated the visiting Prince Albert Raiders 7-3.

Carter Klippenstein, Brady Turko, Easton Odut, Adam Belusko and Rhett Ravndahl also scored for the Wheat Kings (14-8-3-1), who outshot the visitors 38-28.

Ty Meunier scored twice for the Raiders (12-10-3-0), while Brayden Dube netted a single.

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BRONCOS 3 REBELS 0

SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — Dawson Gerwing had a goal and assist and Reid Dyck made 30 saves to post the shutout as the Swift Current Broncos blanked the visiting Red Deer Rebels 3-0.

Connor Gabriel and Clarke Caswell also scored for the Broncos (16-11-0-1), who outshot the Rebels 45-30.

Netminder Chase Wutzke stopped 42 of 45 shots for the Rebels (14-12-1-2).

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ROCKETS 4 ROYALS 2

VICTORIA, B.C. — Andrew Cristall scored twice as the visiting Kelowna Rockets knocked off the Victoria Royals 4-2.

Hiroki Gojsic and Jakub Stancl also scored for the Rockets (12-11-2-1), who were outshot 51-34.

Escalus Burlock and Cosmo Wilson scored for the Royals (15-9-3-2), who trailed 2-1 after the first period and 3-1 heading into the third.

The Rockets went 2-for-4 on the power play, while the Royals were 1-for-7.

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SILVERTIPS 4 THUNDERBIRDS 1

EVERETT, Wash. — Cole Temple scored a goal and an assist as the Everett Silvertips topped the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds 4-1.

Tyler MacKenzie, Jesse Heslop and Shea Busch also scored for the U.S. Division-leading Silvertips (23-3-2-1), who outshot the T-Birds 42-28.

Braeden Cootes scored for the Thunderbirds (10-16-2-1).

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CHIEFS 3 WILD 2

SPOKANE, Wash. — Sam Oremba had a goal and assist and the Spokane Chiefs defeated the visiting Wenatchee Wild 3-2.

Berkly Catton and Hayden Paupanekis also scored for the Chiefs (20-9-0-0), who were outshot 35-34.

Kenta Isogai and Zane Saab scored for the Wild (9-14-3-1), who trailed 1-0 after the first period but entered the third tied 2-2.

* This roundup was generated automatically with a CP-developed application.

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OIL KINGS 7 TIGERS 4

MEDICINE HAT, Alta. — Roan Woodward and Cole Miller each scored twice as the visiting Edmonton Oil Kings drilled the Medicine Hat Tigers 7-4.

Rylen Roersma, Gracyn Sawchyn and Joe Iginla also scored for the Oil Kings (13-12-1-1), who were outshot 34-30.

Liam Ruck, Ryder Ritchie, Marcus Pacheco and Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll scored for the Central Division-leading Tigers (16-13-1-0). Markus Ruck chipped in with two assists.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 7, 2024.

The Canadian Press