WHL Roundup: Connor Rankin stars in overtime for Hitmen in 3-2 win vs. Rebels

CALGARY - Connor Rankin scored 3:59 into overtime to lift the Calgary Hitmen over the visiting Red Deer Rebels 3-2 on Wednesday in Western Hockey League action.

Adam Tambellini and Travis Sanheim both scored in the third period for Calgary (43-22-5), which has won three straight. Mack Shields made 23 saves for the win.

Riley Sheen's goal at the 17:02 mark of the third period forced extra time for Red Deer (37-22-11), while Colton Bobyk scored in the second. Rylan Toth stopped 29-of-32 shots in net.

Neither team could score on the power play, with the Hitmen going 0 for 3 and the Rebels 0 for 6.

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THUNDERBIRDS 3 ROCKETS 2 (OT)

KELOWNA, B.C. — Lane Pederson scored in overtime to lift Seattle over the Rockets.

Defenceman Evan Wardley and Cory Millette had goals in regulation time for the Thunderbirds (36-25-9).

Rourke Chartier and Dillon Dube replied for Kelowna (51-13-6).

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ICE 6 HURRICANES 3

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — Jaedon Descheneau and Zak Zborosky both had a pair of goals to power Kootenay past the Hurricanes.

Ryan Chynoweth and Tim Bozon, Tim also scored for the Ice (37-29-4), who have won four straight.

Captain Jamal Watson, Pavel Skumatov and Brady Reagan supplied the offence for Lethbridge (20-42-8), which has dropped six in a row.

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COUGARS 4 BLAZERS 2

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — Brad Morrison's second period goal stood up as the eventual winner as the Cougars downed Kamloops.

Colby McAuley and Zach Pochiro also scored as Prince George (30-35-5) built a 3-0 lead. Chase Witala added an empty-net goal.

Logan McVeigh and Ryan Rehill replied in the third period for the Blazers (27-36-7).

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WINTERHAWKS 7 CHIEFS 4

SPOKANE, Wash. — Adam Henry led Portland past the Chiefs with a hat trick.

Oliver Bjorkstrand had a goal and four assists for the Winterhawks (42-21-6), while captain Nicolas Petan added a goal and two helpers. Chase De Leo and Keegan Iverson had a goal and an assist each.

Devon McAndrews, Riley Whittingham, Calder Brooks and Adam Helewka responded for Spokane (34-31-4).

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TIGERS 6 RAIDERS 2

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — Chad Butcher, Matt Staples and Dryden Hunt all scored early as Medicine Hat built a 3-0 lead and then fended off the Raiders.

Steven Owre, Cole Sanford and Kyle Burroughs chipped in for the Tigers (43-23-4).

Sawyer Lange and Matteo Gennaro found the back of the net for Prince Albert (29-37-4).