Blichfeld wins scoring title
With tonight’s assist, @joachimblich is @TheWHL scoring champion with 114 points!
Congrats, Joachim! pic.twitter.com/ZjhS9hApod
— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) March 18, 2019
Just when it looked like there was going to be a shared scoring title, Portland’s Joachim Blichfeld earned an assist with just 1.1 seconds left in their 6-5 loss to Seattle. The helper was his 114th point of the season to break the tie with Moose Jaw’s Tristin Langan to give the San Jose Sharks prospect the WHL scoring title. Blichfeld ends the season with 53 goals and 61 assists and is the first Winterhawk to lead the league in scoring since fellow Danish forward Oliver Bjorkstrand did it in 2014/15 with 118 points.
ICE win last game in Cranbrook
The Kootenay ICE win 5-4 over the Red Deer Rebels in their final game in Cranbrook. 1998-2019. #WHL #Cranbrook pic.twitter.com/vIde2bcv5E
— Bradley Jones (@bradleyrjay) March 18, 2019
The Kootenay ICE came out victorious in their last game in Cranbrook before relocating to Winnipeg by a score of 5-4 over the Red Deer Rebels on Sunday. The game ended the team’s 21 year tenure in the Kootenays which saw the franchise win three WHL championships (2000, 2002, 2011) and a Memorial Cup in 2002. Kootenay owns the WHL record for consecutive .500 seasons with 16 (1999-15) and also had 17 straight playoff appearances.
Thank you, @WHLKootenayICE fans, for joining us on a fun-filled ride over the past 21 years. pic.twitter.com/ArI7g1k6ox
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 18, 2019
Milestones
Congratulations to @bruggen_cate on playing in his 200th @TheWHL game last night! pic.twitter.com/Q9y33AjFBY
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) March 17, 2019
Kelowna Rockets forward Conner Bruggen-Cate appeared in his 200th WHL game in their overtime win over Vancouver on Saturday night. The 19-year-old was originally drafted by the Rockets in the sixth round (120th overall) in the 2014 bantam draft and has 14 points (5G, 9A) in 65 games this season. In the 200 career games, the Langley, BC native has 72 points (26G, 46A).
Last night in Kelowna @jadonj9 collected his 100th career @TheWHL point! Congratulations Jo! pic.twitter.com/qqGWc6G7tR
— xy – Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) March 17, 2019
Vancouver Giants forward Jadon Joseph recorded his 100th WHL point with a goal in their overtime loss to Kelowna. The 19-year-old is in his third season in the league, having played for Lethbridge, Regina and Vancouver where he was acquired at the deadline. He has split this season between those three teams, amassing 53 points (22G, 31A) in 68 games. In 189 WHL games, he has 34 goals and 66 assists.
Congrats as well to @brayden_watts29 who also notched his 100th career @TheWHL point last night in Kelowna! On the same play that set up Jo’s goal! A great accomplishment Watty! ? pic.twitter.com/p0RtmXyTuu
— xy – Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) March 17, 2019
Forward Brayden Watts was the second Vancouver Giant to hit 100 career points on Saturday with two assists against the Rockets. One of two Americans on the team (Bakersfield, California), he has 38 points (12G, 26A) in 57 games this season, good for seventh on the team. Watts has split his WHL career between Moose Jaw and Vancouver, appearing in 254 games, earning 39 goals and 61 assists.
Rebels and Ice are tied 4-4 after 2 periods. Rebels 2nd period goals by Cam Hausinger and Jordan Borysiuk. That was Borysiuk's first WHL goal. Shots are 25-20 KTN. #RDR
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) March 17, 2019
Red Deer Rebels prospect Jordan Borysiuk scored his first WHL goal in his seventh game and first this season. The third round pick (63rd overall) in 2017 spent the majority of this season with the Lloydminster Bobcats of the AJHL, collecting 16 points (12G, 4A) in 33 games. He has a goal and an assist in seven WHL games.
?? UCHACZ!!!!!
HIS FIRST IN THE WHL!!!!
WE'RE TIED 2-2!!! pic.twitter.com/mTBGw4JqsC
— x-Seattle Thunderbirds (@SeattleTbirds) March 18, 2019
Seattle Thunderbirds prospect Kai Uchacz scored his first WHL goal on Sunday in his fifth WHL game, the goal was also his first point in the WHL. The 15-year-old centreman was drafted 10th overall in last year’s bantam draft and has played this season with the Okotoks Oilers of the AMHL, putting up 31 points (16G, 15A) in 28 games.
#WHL SEA/POR: @SeattleTbirds finish the season with 6 wins in 7 contests as Jarret Tyszka's marker holds up as the game winner. 8th overall marker matches total from last year and gives him 25 for regular season career. His assist 2:30 earlier boosted him to 100 career points.
— Geoffrey Brandow (@GeoffreyBrandow) March 18, 2019
Seattle Thunderbirds defenceman Jarret Tyszka recorded his 100th WHL point with an assist in a 6-5 win over Portland. The Montreal Canadiens prospect also added a goal in the game to end the season with 30 points (8G, 22A) in 41 games this season. In 213 WHL games, he has 25 goals and 76 assists.
Troubling Moment
Kootenay's Peyton Krebs got a 5 minute major and GM for this check from behind on Red Deer's Jacob Herauf today. pic.twitter.com/Zqc6oSr7sT
— Brandon Rivers (@BriversWHL) March 18, 2019
Three Stars of the Night
1st Star: Seattle’s Andrej Kukuca had a hat trick in a 6-5 win over Portland.
2nd Star: Portland’s Jared Freadrich had a goal and two assists in the loss to Seattle.
3rd Star: Edmonton’s Vince Loschiavo had two goals, including the game winner, in a 3-1 win over Calgary.
Honourable Mentions
Red Deer’s Brett Davis had a goal and two assists in a 5-4 loss to Kootenay….Edmonton’s Todd Scott stopped 25 of 26 shots for his eleventh win of the season….Portland’s Jake Gricius had a goal and an assist in the loss to the Thunderbirds….and lastly the hockey fans of Cranbrook who continuously supported the ICE for 21 seasons of WHL hockey….
