Rattie with three points as the Winterhawks take 1-0 series lead

PORTLAND, Ore. - Ty Rattie scored on a penalty shot and added two assists as the Portland Winterhawks downed the visiting Kamloops Blazers 4-1 on Friday in Western Hockey League playoff action.

Kamloops led early, but Portland rallied with four unanswered goals to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference final.

Taylor Leier, Brendan Leipsic and Troy Rutkowski also scored for the Winterhawks, who are seeking a third straight conference championship.

Joe Kornelson scored the only goal for the Blazers, who had offensive stars Tim Bozon and Colin Smith go pointless in their return from injury.

Kornelson gave the Blazers the lead just 2:10 into the game after beating Portland goaltender Mac Carruth high for his first goal of the post-season.

Leier's deflection on a Chase De Leo pass evened things up for Portland at 15:03 and Rattie cashed in on a penalty shot after he was slashed by Blazers defenceman Joel Edmundson on a short-handed breakaway just over two minutes later.

After a scoreless second period, Rutkowski put home a rebound past Blazers goalie Cole Cheveldave at 3:17 of the third.

Leipsic put the game out of reach with a goal with 6:00 left in regulation.

Carruth made 33 saves to earn the win as Cheveldave stopped 37 shots in defeat.

Portland went 1 for 3 on the power play while Kamloops failed to score on five chances with the man advantage.

Rattie was whistled for a major penalty and a game misconduct for checking from behind late in the third period.

Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday in Portland.