WHL roundup: Winterhawks earn split with 5-3 win over Cougars

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. - James Stefan's power-play goal at 7:33 of the third period snapped a 2-2 deadlock and lifted the visiting Portland Winterhawks to a 5-3 victory on Saturday night over the Prince George Cougars to tie the Western Hockey League's Western Conference final series at a game apiece.

Gabe Klassen, Jack O'Brien, Diego Buttazzoni and Marcus Nguyen (empty-netter) also scored for the Winterhawks, who lost 5-0 in Friday's opener of the best-of-seven series at the CN Centre. Josh Zakreski and Nate Danielson each chipped in with two assists.

Zac Funk, Borya Valis and Oren Shtrom scored for the Cougars, who were outshot 38-32.

The teams were scoreless after the first period and were tied 2-2 heading into the third.

The Winterhawks went 1-for-2 on the power play, while the Cougars were 1-for-4.

Game 3 is Monday night in Portland, Ore.

Elsewhere in the WHL on Saturday:

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BLADES 3 WARRIORS 2 (OT)

(Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)

SASKATOON, Sask. — Fraser Minton's goal at 13:06 of overtime lifted the Saskatoon Blades to a 3-2 victory over the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors and allowed them to tie the best-of-seven WHL Eastern Conference final series at a game apiece.

Tanner Molendyk and Brandon Lisowsky also scored for the Blades, who outshot the visitors 37-27.

Atley Calvert and Kalem Parker scored for the Warriors, who won Friday's series opener 4-3 in overtime.

The Warriors led 2-0 after the first period and the teams were tied 2-2 heading into the third.

Game 3 is Tuesday in Moose Jaw, Sask.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 27, 2024.