The Spokane Chiefs are the first team in the WHL’s Western Conference to advance to the second round of the play-offs.
Defenceman Brenden Kitchen’s Power-Play goal mid-way through the second period stood up as the winner as the Chiefs outscored Tri-City 3-1 in game four of their first round series.
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Elsewhere, Victoria is still alive thanks to goaltender Patrik Polivka. The import made 47 saves in the Royals net as Victoria doubled Kamloops 4-2. The Blazers outshot Victoria 49-25. Kamloops still leads the set 3-games-to-2.
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In Portland, the 8th seeded Everett Silvertips extended their series with the Winterhawks. Everett’s Austin Lotz made 43 saves, including 11 in the final frame as the Tips clung to a one goal lead. Portland still leads the series 3-2.
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AND in Kelwona, the Rockets staved of elimination with a 4-3 win in game five of their series with Seattle. The Rockets had to survive a frantic final minute that saw the T-Birds score a pair of goals to make it a one goal game. Seattle’s lead in the series has now slipped to 3-games-to-2.