WHL Roundup: Crunk scores two as Royals use big third period to upset Rockets

VICTORIA - A big third period led the Victoria Royals to an upset victory on Saturday night.

Taylor Crunk scored twice — including once in a four-goal third — as the Royals beat the No. 2 Kelowna Rockets 5-2 in Western Hockey League action.

Brandon Magee, Jack Walker and Travis Brown, into an empty net, also had goals for Victoria (33-33-4). The win snaps a two-game skid.

Edmonton Oilers prospect Leon Draisaitl and Dillon Dube found the back of the net for the Rockets (46-10-4). The loss ends a four-game winning streak.

Justin Paulic picked up with win with 31 saves. Michael Herringer turned away 34 shots in the loss.

The Royals went 0 for 3 on the power play while Kelowna scored once on three chances.

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BRONCOS 5 RAIDERS 2

SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — Colby Cave scored the first of five-consecutive goals for the Broncos as they downed Prince Albert.

Brett Lernout, Jake DeBrusk and Coda Gordon all had goals with Carter Rigby adding an empty-netter for Swift Current (29-25-5).

Austin Glover and Tim Vanstone gave the Raiders (24-33-3) a two-goal lead in the first.

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PATS 4 REBELS 1

REGINA — Braden Christopffer scored the first of three power-play goals in the second as the Pats skated past Red Deer.

Adam Brooks and Colby Williams also had goals on the man advantage for Regina (32-19-7). Jesse Gabrielle would open the first period with a goal in the Pats' other offence.

Haydn Fleury responded in the third for the Rebels (30-20-9).

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WHEAT KINGS 7 BLADES 3

SASKATOON — Jayce Hawryluk and Rihards Bukarts each had two goals and two assists as Brandon topped the Blades.

Tim McGauley also struck twice for the Wheat Kings (44-10-6) including once on a penalty shot. Morgan Kilmchuk rounded out the attack.

Ryan Graham, Josh Uhrich and Brycen Martin scored for Saskatoon (17-39-3), as it lost its third in a row.

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THUNDERBIRDS 7 SILVERTIPS 0

KENT, Wash. — Roberts Lipsbergs had two goals and two assists and Taran Kozun turned aside 15 shots as the Thunderbirds shut out Everett.

Scott Eansor, Ryan Gropp, Cory Millette, Ethan Bear and Keegan Kolesar supplied the rest of the offence for Seattle (31-21-7).

Austin Lotz went the distance for the Silvertips (35-17-7) making 21 saves.

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WINTERHAWKS 5 HURRICANES 2

PORTLAND, Ore. — Paul Bittner and Oliver Bjorkstrand both scored twice and had an assist as the Winterhawks beat Lethbridge.

Keegan Iverson opened the scoring 59 seconds into the first for Portland (35-20-4). Winnipeg Jets prospect Nicolas Petan had four assists.

Giorgio Estephan and Carter Amson chipped in for the Hurricanes (18-34-7).

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COUGARS 4 WARRIORS 2

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — Chase Witala struck twice and added two assists as the Cougars doubled Moose Jaw.

Josh Connolly also had a pair of goals for Prince George (24-33-4) with Jansen Harkins adding three assists.

Brayden Point and Austin Adam scored for the Warriors (24-31-5).

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GIANTS 1 BLAZERS 0

VANCOUVER — Payton Lee made 33 saves for the shutout as the Giants blanked Kamloops.

Dakota Odgers scored in the second period for Vancouver (26-31-3) in the game's lone offence.

Connor Ingram kicked out 21 shots for the Blazers (22-33-6).

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ICE 5 CHIEFS 0

SPOKANE, Wash. — Luke Philip and Jaedon Descheneau each struck twice and Wyatt Hoflin made 29 saves as Kootenay shut out the Chiefs.

Jon Martin opened the scoring in the first for the Ice (31-27-2).

Tyson Verhelst kicked out 19 shots in goal for Spokane (27-27-4).

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HITMEN 7 AMERICANS 2

KENNEWICK, Wash. — Vancouver Canucks prospect Jake Virtanen had a goal and two assists as Calgary got its fourth-straight win by routing the Americans.

Jake Bean had an identical three-point night for the Hitmen (36-18-5). Pavel Karnaukhov, Beck Malenstyn, Adam Tambellini, Connor Rankin and Elliott Peterson rounded out the attack. Travis Sanheim picked up three assists.

Beau McCue and Austyn Playfair scored for Tri-City (27-30-3).