WHL Roundup: Polivka makes 26 saves as Royals beat Thunderbirds 4-1

VICTORIA – Patrik Polivka made 26 saves as the Victoria Royals beat the Seattle Thunderbirds 4-1 in Western Hockey League action Tuesday night.

Jamie Crooks, Alex Gogolev, Steven Hodges and Joe Hicketts scored for the Royals (29-19-4).

Shea Theodore had the only goal for the Thunderbirds (19-30-5).

The Royals opened the scoring when Crooks picked up a loose puck after a faceoff and snapped it past Thunderbirds goalie Brandon Glover.

Gogolev made it 2-0 with less than a minute left in the first, scoring from a perfect goalmouth feed from linemate Brandon Magee.

Elsewhere in the WHL it was: Edmonton 4, Prince Albert 3 (OT); Lethbridge 5, Regina 2; and Saskatoon 5, Moose Jaw 4.

At Victoria, Thunderbirds defenceman Theodore cut the deficit to 2-1 early in the second on the power play, blasting a rocket from the point that beat Polivka cleanly over his shoulder.

Victoria restored the two-goal lead on a 2-on-1. Glover kicked out the initial from Hodges’ shot but it went in off a defender’s skate.

Hicketts added an empty-netter in the final minute of the third.

Polivka made a number of key saves throughout the game, including all nine shots he faced in the third period.

Glover stopped 20-of-24 shots for Seattle.

Gogolev left the game early in the third period with a lacerated left foot.

Oil Kings 4, Raiders 3 (OT)

At Prince Albert, Sask., David Musil scored at 3:31 of overtime as Edmonton (39-11-5) got past the Raiders (30-18-5).

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Hurricanes 5, Pats 2

At Regina, Ty Rimmer made 48 saves to lead Lethbridge (25-23-8) over the Pats (19-29-6).

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Blades 5, Warriors 4

At Saskatoon, Brenden Walker’s empty-net goal ended up counting as the Blades (28-21-3) beat Moose Jaw (18-27-9).