SASKATOON — Ben Kindel's hat trick helped the Calgary Hitmen rout the Saskatoon Blades 6-2 on Wednesday and complete a four-game sweep in their first-round Western Hockey League playoff series.
David Adaszynski, Carter Yakemchuk and Oliver Tulk rounded out the attack for Calgary.
Anders Miller made 27 saves for the win.
Zach Olsen and Hayden Harsanyi scored 44 seconds apart in the second period for Saskatoon, while Evan Gardner stopped 30 shots in net.
Neither team scored on the power play. The Hitmen were 0 for 4 and the Blades went 0 for 6.
---
WHEAT KINGS 6 HURRICANES 4
BRANDON, Man. — Matteo Michels had a pair of goals as the Wheat Kings beat Lethbridge to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Hurricanes now hold a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Nicholas Johnson put away the winner with 6:15 left to play for Brandon, with Luke Shipley, Nolan Flamand and Quinn Mantei, into an empty net, also scoring.
Brayden Edwards, Brayden Yager, Shane Smith and Jordan Gustafson replied for Lethbridge.
---
OIL KINGS 3 RAIDERS 2
EDMONTON — Adam Jecho's second-period goal was the eventual winner as the Oil Kings held off Prince Albert.
Edmonton has a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Lukas Sawchyn and Gavin Hodnett also scored as the Oil Kings built an early 3-0 lead.
Rilen Kovacevic and Niall Crocker had goals in the final 10 minutes of play as the Raiders mounted a late comeback.
---
TIGERS 4 BRONCOS 3 (OT)
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — Hunter St. Martin scored 2:08 into overtime as Medicine Hat rallied past the Broncos.
The Tigers leads series 3-1.
Gavin McKenna struck twice and Ryder Ritchie also scored as Medicine Hat overcame an early 2-0 deficit.
Carlin Dezainde and Clarke Caswell both had first-period goals for Swift Current and Luke Mistelbacher forced the extra period with a late third-period score.
---
GIANTS 3 CHIEFS 2
SPOKANE, Wash. — Connor Levis's put away the winner at the 10:21 mark of the third period as Vancouver edged the Chiefs.
Spokane leads the series 2-1.
Ty Halaburda and London Hoilett opened the scoring for the Giants.
Saige Weinstein and Rasmus Ekstrom answered for the Chiefs.
---
AMERICANS 6 ROYALS 4
KENNEWICK, Wash. — Cash Koch had the winner and added two assists as Tri-City flew past Victoria.
The Royals hold a 3-1 series lead.
Jake Gudelj, Grady Martin, Savin Virk, Jackson Smith and Max Curran rounded out the attack for the Americans.
Markus Loponen had a pair of goals for Victoria, and Cole Reschny and Kenta Isogai added singles.
---
WINTERHAWAKS 5 COUGARS 4
PORTLAND, Or. — Diego Buttazzoni scored the winner at 17:57 of the 2nd overtime to secure the victory for Portland in both the game and series.
The Winterhawks entered the contest with a 3-1 series lead.
Ryan Miller, Hudson Darby, Kyle Chyzowski and Carter Sotheran also tallied for Portland.
For the Cougars, Matteo Danis scored his third of the series, while Borya Valis, Koehn Ziemmer and Carson Carels also contributed goals.
---
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 2, 2025.
The Canadian Press
