CHL Playoffs Game Night: 4/5

Game 2 summaries for Lethbridge and Seattle.

WHL EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMI-FINALS

Game 2: (5) Kootenay Ice 4 @ (3) Lethbridge Hurricanes 5 (OT)
Best of 7 series tied 1-1

C Mitch Fadden, LET:
Game: 1-1-2, +2, 7 PIM (cross-checking, fighting major vs. Michael Strickland), *First Star*
Series: 2 GP, 1-1-2, +1, 7 PIM
Playoffs: 8 GP, 3-7-10, -1, 11 PIM (plus 10 min misconduct)

Lethbridge again experienced a third period meltdown in this series, this time watching a 4-0 third period lead turn into a 4-4 tie with 15 seconds left in the period. Kootenay scored all their goals in 12 minutes. Fortunately for the ‘Canes, Dwight King (Kings 4th round ‘07) scored early in the overtime session to even the series at one game a piece. Fadden took eight stitches after hitting his head on the ice during his fight. He and linemate Colton Sceviour (Stars 4th round '07) were both involved in fights in the third period, coming when Lethbridge was leading 4-1. Lethbridge coach Michael Dyck told the Lethbridge Herald of the fights/third period collapse: "We lost our focus, they got momentum and then we started to grip our sticks a little tight. That’s not our game. It’s good to stand up for each other but there’s certainly a time and a place for it." Game 3 is Tuesday in Kootenay.

WHL WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMI-FINALS

Game 2: (4) Seattle Thunderbirds 0 @ (1) Tri-City Americans 4
Best of 7 series tied 1-1

G Riku Helenius, SEA:
Game: Loss, 27 saves on 31 shots in 52:13
Playoffs: 8 GP, 4-3-1, 2.63 GAA, .907 sv%

Chet Pickard and the top-seeded Americans rebounded from a 7-1 Game 1 loss with a shutout win over the T-Birds. Colton Yellow Horn had a hat trick and was first star for Tri-City. All four Tri-City goals came on the power play, including the game’s opener, which was scored while Seattle was trying to kill off a major penalty. That penalty occurred just 29 seconds into the game when Seattle’s second leading scorer (regular season), Greg Scott (undrafted '88) was called for kneeing Yellow Horn and was ejected. Twice Helenius was beaten on one timers from the slot, another on a rebound, and by a one-timer from the faceoff circle that squeezed between his legs.

Seattle played without L.A. Kings’ first rounder and defenseman Thomas Hickey, who took a knee to the head and was knocked out of Game 1. Hickey was reportedly cleared to play in Game 2, but coaches held him out. Game 3 is Tuesday in Seattle.