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WHL playoffs: ICE, T-Birds cruise to playoff victories in conference finals

WINNIPEG — Connor McClennon scored three goals and added an assist as the Winnipeg ICE defeated the visiting Saskatoon Blades 6-2 on Saturday to grab a 2-0 lead in their Western Hockey League Eastern Conference final series.

WINNIPEG — Connor McClennon scored three goals and added an assist as the Winnipeg ICE defeated the visiting Saskatoon Blades 6-2 on Saturday to grab a 2-0 lead in their Western Hockey League Eastern Conference final series.

Zach Benson, Owen Pederson and Matthew Savoie (empty-netter) also scored for the ICE, who won Friday's opener 3-0. Savoie also chipped in with two assists.

Justin Lies and Jayden Wiens scored for the Blades, who trailed 2-0 after the first period and 4-0 heading into the third period. The ICE were 1-for-3 on the power play, while the Blades went 1-for-5.

The ICE outshot the Blades 33-29.

Game 3 is Tuesday in Saskatoon, Sask.

Elsewhere in the WHL:

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THUNDERBIRDS 5 BLAZERS 1

(Seattle leads best-of-seven series 1-0)

SEATTLE, Wash. — Jared Davidson scored twice and added an assist as the Seattle Thunderbirds opened the Western Conference final with a 5-1 win over the visiting Kamloops Blazers.

Nico Myatovic, Dylan Guenther and Gracyn Sawchyn also scored for the T-Birds, who outshot the Blazers 35-25.

Olen Zellweger scored for the Blazers, who trailed 1-0 after the first period and 2-1 heading into the third.

The Thunderbirds went 1-for-3 on the power play, while the Blazers were 0-for-2.

Game 2 is Sunday at accesso ShoWare Center in Seattle.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 29, 2023.

The Canadian Press