WHL
Chris Durand and Darian Dziurzynski scored two goals each to lead the Saskatoon Blades (18-30-3-2) to a 6-2 win over the Regina Pats (33-16-3-2) in another slugfest in the WHL Friday night.
The game was an ugly affair from before the puck dropped straight through to the final buzzer.
During warm-ups ex-Pat Mike Reich, who got in two fights against Regina earlier this week, was handed a misconduct for chirping and sent to the penalty box for the national anthem and the first 10 minutes of the game.
After two fights Regina took a pile of penalties and by the midway point of the first Saskatoon was up 3-0.
The first two came on the power play from Chris Durand with his 11th of the year and Darian Dziurzynski with his second of the season.
Ten seconds later Derek Hulak added another goal, his 11th of the year. All three goals were banged in off rebounds given up by backup Regina goaltender Jeff Bosch, who was then pulled in favour of regular Regina net minder Linden Rowat.
At the 3:44 mark of the second Dziurzynski nabbed his second of the game, again on the power play, to put Saskatoon up 4-0.
Regina finally got on the board at the 5:14 mark of the second when Josh Elder redirected a Dallas Jackson point shot over the shoulder of Saskatoon goalie Braden Holtby for his third of the year. Also assisting on the power play goal was J.D. Watt.
Regina then took five penalties in a five-minute span, resulting in numerous power play chances for Saskatoon.
At the 13:14 mark, with a two man advantage, Saskatoon captain Colton Gillies put Saskatoon up 5-1 after picking up a rebound in the slot and backhanding it off the post and in for his 15th of the year.
Elsewhere in the WHL, it was: Calgary 4 Edmonton 0; Kootenay 3 Spokane 2 (SO); Swift Current 4 Moose Jaw 3 (SO); Prince George 5 Kamloops 4; Lethbridge 9 Kelowna 4; Vancouver 6 Chilliwack 2; Prince Albert 4 Portland 2; Tri-City 3 Seattle 2 and Brandon 9 Red Deer 0.
At Regina, the Pats managed one more goal in the third, a power play marker off a Logan Pyett slapshot to narrow Saskatoon’s lead to three goals.
But Durand’s second of the night, a pretty wrist shot, put Saskatoon up 6-2 and opened the door for the ugly stuff.
With just under two minutes remaining in the game, and for the third time in the teams’ last three match-ups, a line brawl broke out and everyone, including the goalies, went at it.
In the end, over 250 minutes in penalties were handed out.
Earning the win in net for Saskatoon was Braden Holtby (15-25-22). Regina’s Bosch (9-5-0-0) let in three goals on nine shots for the loss.
Hitmen 4 Oil Kings 0
At Calgary, Kyle Bortis scored once and set up another to lead the Hitmen (38-13-1-3) to a win over the Oil Kings (18-26-4-6).
Ice 3 Chiefs 2 (SO)
At Cranbrook, B.C., Ben Maxwell scored the shootout winner in his first game back after a thigh injury kept him out of 39 games as the Ice (30-18-4-1) edged the Chiefs (37-10-1-4).
Broncos 4 Warriors 3 (SO)
At Swift Current, Sask., Keegan Dansereau was the lone player to score in the shootout as the Broncos (29-20-0-5) posted a 4-3 shootout win over the Warriors (28-15-4-5).
Cougars 5 Blazers 4
At Prince George, B.C., veteran defenceman Kalvin Sagert scored the first game-winning goal of his career, leading the Cougars (15-34-1-2) to a victory over the Blazers (24-27-1-2).
Hurricanes 9 Rockets 4
At Kelowna, B.C., Zach Boychuk had two goals and two assists for Lethbridge as the Hurricanes (33-15-2-3) stormed past the Rockets (31-16-2-5)
Giants 6 Bruins 2
At Chilliwack, B.C., James Henry scored twice to lead the Giants (34-12-1-5) to a convincing 6-2 win over the Bruins (22-24-3-2).
Raiders 4 Winter Hawks 2
At Portland, Ore., Dustin Cameron had an empty net goal along with an assist to lead the Raiders (18-31-3-2) to a victory over the Winter Hawks (9-43-1-1).
Americans 3 Thunderbirds 2
At Kennewick, Wash., Shaun Vey scored the game-winning goal with 15 seconds left to give the Americans (37-12-1-2) a victory over the Thunderbirds (25-18-5-2).
Wheat Kings 9 Rebels 0
At Brandon, Man., rookie Brayden Schenn scored two goals and set up three others as the Wheat Kings (31-18-0-2) defeated the Rebels (14-34-4-2).