WHL Roundup: D Connor Hobbs lifts Medicine Hat over Lethbridge 3-2

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. - Defenceman Connor Hobbs scored a power-play goal at 18:00 of the third period and the Medicine Hat Tigers held on for a 3-2 comeback win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes in Western Hockey League action on Friday.

Kyle Becker and Markus Eisenschmid scored four minutes apart in the second frame to bring Medicine Hat (1-0-0) back from a two-goal deficit. Cole Sanford contributed with two assists.

Pavel Skumatov scored twice, giving the Hurricanes (0-1-0) a 2-0 lead midway through the second period.

Tigers goalie Nick Schneider made 16 saves, while his Lethbridge counterpart Zac Robidoux stopped 35 shots in the losing effort.

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WHEAT KINGS 4 PATS 2

BRANDON, Man. — Tyler Coulter scored at 6:36 of the third period to break a 2-2 tie and the Wheat Kings went on to double up Regina in their home opener.

Taylor Green, Ryan Pilon and Braylon Shmyr — into an empty net with 49 seconds to go — also scored for Brandon (1-0-0).

Braden Christoffer and Jaren McAmmond replied for Regina (0-1-0).

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RAIDERS 5 BLADES 3

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — Reid Gardiner scored twice and Sawyer Lange had a goal and two assists as the Raiders opened up their season with a victory over Saskatoon.

Calder Brooks and Dylan Stewart also scored for Prince Albert (1-0-0), and Nick McBride made 22 saves.

Troy Trombley stopped 39 shots for the Blades (0-1-0), while Wyatt Sloboshan, Nick Zajac and Turner Ottenbriet scored.

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ICE 5 REBELS 3

RED DEER, Alta. — Zak Zborosky scored two goals as Kootenay beat the Rebels to spoil their home opener.

Jon Martin had a goal and an assist for the Ice (1-0-0), and Austin Vetterl and Luke Philp — into an empty net with 21 seconds remaining — also scored.

Brett Cote had a goal and an assist, while Meyer Nell and Brooks Maxwell also scored for Red Deer (0-1-0).

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BRONCOS 6 WARRIORS 0

SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — Jay Merkley scored three goals — two on the power play and one short-handed — and Landon Bow made 34 saves as the Broncos blanked Moose Jaw.

Glen Gawdin, Tyler Steenbergen and Andreas Schumacher also scored for Swift Current (1-0-0), while Coda Gordon had three assists.

Justin Paulic stopped 32 shots for the Warriors (0-1-0), who failed to score on nine power-play opportunities.

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BLAZERS 6 ROYALS 3

KAMLOOPS, B.C. — Matt Revel scored twice and Cole Ully and Josh Connolly each had a goal and two assists as the Blazers doubled up Victoria.

Jake Kryski scored a goal and assisted on another and Matt Needham also scored for Kamloops (1-0-0).

Travis Brown and Mitch Skapski had a goal and an assist apiece for the Royals (0-1-0), while Ralph Jarratt rounded out Victoria's offence.

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THUNDERBIRDS 4 WINTERHAWKS 1

PORTLAND, Ore. — Ryan Gropp scored twice, including one on a power play, as Seattle spoiled Portland's home opener.

Keegan Kolesar also connected on the man advantage, and Alexander True scored an even-strength goal for the Thunderbirds (1-0-0), who outshot their opponents 37-25. Mathew Barzal had two assists.

Tyson Predinchuk scored the lone goal for the Winterhawks (0-1-0), also on a power play.