Two first round sweeps
Raiders win! 4-1 is the final in Game 4 to complete the sweep of the Red Deer Rebels!
Shots finish 35-22 us.
Details and tickets for our Round 2 series will be announced at a later date.#PAvsRD #GoRaidersGo #WHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/e07O1BQjdE
— Prince Albert Raiders (@PARaidersHockey) March 28, 2019
The Eastern Conference champion Prince Albert Raiders are moving onto conference semi-finals after beating the Red Deer Rebels four games to none. The two teams were separated by 40 points in the regular season standings heading into the series and the Raiders outscored the Rebels 17-7 in four games despite being without top scorer Brett Leason for Game 3 due to suspension.
KRISTIAN ROYKAS-MARTHINSEN!!!!
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SERIES OVER!!!!!
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) March 28, 2019
The Saskatoon Blades swept the Moose Jaw Warriors in four games that included two overtime games. This matchup was a lot more even in the regular season standings with the Blades ahead 10 points during the regular season. Games 1 and 4 ended in overtime as well as Game 3 being a one goal game.
Both Prince Albert and Saskatoon will meet each other in the second round in an East Division clash.
Suspensions
An update before Game 4. Thunderbirds defenceman Cade McNelly has been suspended two games by the WHL. #VANvsSEA #WHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/ZMSDqSYfAD
— Dan O'Connor (@DanOConnor_VAN) March 27, 2019
Seattle Thunderbirds defenceman Cade McNelly has been suspended for two games for his actions in Game 3 against Vancouver on Tuesday. The 17-year-old is also considered a repeat offender, having previously missed 10 games as a result of being disciplined three previous times this season. He’s already served the first game in Seattle’s Game 4 win over Vancouver and will be available for Game 6.
Kamloops' Brodi Stuart handed a one-game suspension for this hit on Victoria's Matthew Smith. pic.twitter.com/3BNqMsOZEP
— Brandon Rivers (@BriversWHL) March 27, 2019
Kamloops Blazers forward Brodi Stuart was handed a one game suspension for his hit on Victoria’s Matthew Smith. This is his first suspension in his two year WHL career.
Troubling Moments
Here’s video of tonight’s stick swinging incident at bench. Mcdonald gets Franklin and trainer Toledo Robinson. Broke his glasses. How this didn’t result in serious injury is a miracle. Match penalty. pic.twitter.com/Gcwwo5agtZ
— Jon Keen (@JonKeenNLSports) March 28, 2019
Victoria Royals forward Kody McDonald was given a match penalty and a game misconduct for this incident at the 7:58 mark of the third period on Wednesday. The 20-year-old has been suspended twice before in his five year career, for six games total.
Seattle's Sean Richards was given a 5 minute major and GM in Game 4 for checking from behind. He hit Vancouver's Aidan Barfoot. pic.twitter.com/fhrVr6nxCs
— Brandon Rivers (@BriversWHL) March 28, 2019
Seattle Thunderbirds forward Sean Richards was given a five minute major for checking from behind and a game misconduct for this hit on Vancouver’s Aidan Barfoot, who left the game and did not return. Richards has been suspended 20 games over his WHL career which includes five suspensions.
Three Stars of the Night
1st Star: Edmonton’s Vince Loschiavo had two goals and an assist in a 5-1 win over Medicine Hat to tie the series at two.
2nd Star: Kamloops’ Connor Zary had two goals in the Blazers’ 6-3 win over Victoria to tie the series at two.
3rd Star: Tri-City’s Beck Warm had 39 saves to lead the Americans’ to their first win of the playoffs and make the series 2-1.
Honourable Mentions
Saskatoon’s Kristian Roykas Marthinsen scored the series clinching goal in overtime to send the Blades to the second round….Prince Albert’s Cole Fonstad had a goal and two assists as the Raiders swept the Rebels….Seattle’s Matthew Wedman scored the late game winner along with an assist to tie their series with the Giants at two games a piece….Spokane’s Adam Beckman scored the overtime winner to give the Chiefs a 3-1 stranglehold on their series with Portland….
