WHL Roundup: Caedan Bankier hat trick give Blazers OT win over Rockets

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – Caedan Bankier completed his hat trick in overtime as the Kamloops Blazers vanquished the Kelowna Rockets 4-3 in Western Hockey League play Saturday evening.

Bankier knocked in the game-winning goal for the Blazers with 13 seconds left in OT.

Josh Pillar also scored for Kamloops (13-4-0) in regulation.

David Kope, with two, and Alex Swetlikoff scored for the Rockets (8-2-1), which saw their five-game winning streak snapped.

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GIANTS 5 ROYALS 4 (SO)

KELOWNA, B.C. — Justin Sourdif and Tristen Nielsen scored in the shootout as Vancouver (10-7-0) came away with the win over Victoria (2-13-2), who have only won one of their last 11 games.

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HURRICANES 6 TIGERS 3

MEDICINE HAT, Alta. — Chase Wheatcroft scored twice, and Joe Arntsen and Alex Cotton each had two helpers, as Lethbridge (9-11-2) defeated Medicine Hat (13-7-1). The game was a rematch of Thursday’s clash, which the Tigers won 6-2.

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REBELS 4 OIL KINGS 2

RED DEER, Alta. — Ben King led the way for Red Deer (3-15-3) with two goals and Chase Coward stopped 24-of-26 shots as the Rebels won for just the third time this season. Logan Dowhaniuk scored twice for Edmonton (18-2-1), which saw their five-game win streak come to an end.

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CHIEFS 8 THUNDERBIRDS 3

SPOKANE, Wash. — Adam Beckman scored a hat trick and Bobby Russell had three helpers as the Spokane Chiefs (6-7-3) easily downed the Seattle Thunderbirds (7-11-0). It was Beckman’s second hat trick in as many games.

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AMERICANS 3 WINTERHAWKS 2

PORTLAND, Ore. — Talyn Boyko stopped 37-of-39 shots to lead Tri-City (5-8-0) over Portland (9-6-3). The Americans scored three first-period goals, their first coming 30 seconds into the game.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2021.