KENNEWICK, Wash. — Parker Bell's goal at 5:31 of the third period snapped a 2-2 tie and stood up as the winner as the Tri-City Americans defeated the visiting Prince George Cougars 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series.
Marc Lajoie, Tyson Greenway and Jalen Luypen also scored for the Americans, who were outshot 30-28.
Chase Wheatcroft and Hudson Thornton scored for the Cougars, who lost Game 1 6-4 and bounced back in Game 2 with a 2-1 overtime victory.
The Americans led 2-0 after the first period and 2-1 heading into the third.
Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday in Kennewick.
Elsewhere in the WHL:
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AMERICANS 4 COUGARS 2
REGINA — Egor Sidorov's second goal of the game, scored at 5:19 of overtime, gave the Saskatoon Blades a 4-3 Western Hockey League playoff victory on Tuesday night.
Sidorov, who scored a power-play goal at 10:32 of the third period to start the Blades' comeback from a 3-1 deficit, allowed the Blades to climb back into their best-of-seven, first-round series after dropping the first two games at home by 6-1 and 6-5 (overtime) decisions.
Jayden Wiens and Brandon Lisowsky also scored for the Blades, who trailed 2-1 after the first period. The second period was scoreless.
Connor Bedard had a goal and two assists for the Pats, while Stanislav Svozil and Alexander Suzdalev netted singles. The Blades outshot the Pats 37-24.
After Sidorov made it 3-2 in the third, Lisowsky tied the game with a goal at 19:33, forcing the second overtime in as many games between the Saskatchewan squads.
Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday in Regina.
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WARRIORS 6 HURRICANES 2
Moose Jaw leads the best-of-seven series 3-0
LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — Jagger Firkus scored three goals as the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors defeated the Lethbridge Hurricanes 6-2 to take a commanding 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series.
Atley Calvert added two goals for the Warriors, while Martin Rysavy scored once. Moose Jaw won the first two games of the series 2-1 in overtime, and 5-1.
Brayden Edwards and Jett Jones scored for the Hurricanes.
Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday in Lethbridge.
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ICE 7 TIGERS 2
Winnipeg leads best-of-seven series 3-0
MEDICINE HAT, Alta. — Ty Nash scored a goal and added an assist as the visiting Winnipeg ICE crushed the Medicine Hat Tigers 7-2 to take a commanding 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series.
Zack Ostapchuk, Easton Armstrong, Matthew Savoie, Evan Friesen, Conor Geekie and Connor McClennon also scored for the ICE, who won the first two games of the series by scores of 5-3 and 5-2.
Gavin McKenna and Brendan Lee all scored for the Tigers.
Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday in Medicine Hat.
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BLAZERS 5 GIANTS 0
Kamloops leads best-of-seven series 3-0
LANGLEY, B.C. — Caedan Bankier scored twice and Dylan Ernst posted the shutout as the visiting Kamloops Blazers defeated the Vancouver Giants 5-0 to take a 3-0 lead in their best-of seven series.
Emmitt Finnie, Ryan Hofer and Logan Stankoven also scored for the Blazers, who outshot the Giants 46-17.
The Blazers, who will host and play in the 2023 Memorial Cup, won the first two games of the series by scores of 8-0 and 6-1.
Game 4 is Thursday at Langley Events Centre.
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THUNDERBIRDS 4 ROCKETS 1
Seattle leads best-of-seven series 3-0
KELOWNA, B.C. — The Seattle Thunderbirds spotted the Kelowna Rockets a 1-0 lead, but stormed back with four unanswered goals to post a 4-1 victory and grab a commanding 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series.
Jordan Gustafson, Dylan Guenther, Kyle Crnkovic and Lucas Ciona scored for the Thunderbirds, who outshot the Rockets 33-25.
Andrew Cristall scored for the Rockets, who lost the first two games in Seattle by scores of 3-2 and 4-1.
Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday in Kelowna.
* This roundup was generated automatically with a CP-developed application.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 4, 2023.
The Canadian Press
