Blazers to play Thunderbirds in WHL Western Conference Final

May 18, 2022 | 7:01 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Western Hockey League (WHL) Western Conference Final is set in stone.

After defeating the Vancouver Giants in six games in their second-round playoff series Sunday (May 15), the Kamloops Blazers learned their opponent would be the Seattle Thunderbirds.

The Thunderbirds defeated the Portland Winterhawks 6-3 in game seven of the other Western Conference second-round playoff series. The Thunderbirds trailed the best-of-seven series 3-1 before winning three straight. Previously, the Thunderbirds won their first-round series against the Kelowna Rockets 4-1.

The Blazers only played the Thunderbirds three times during the 2021-22 WHL regular season, winning two of those games. They defeated Seattle on the road 5-1 on Nov. 20 and 4-1 on Nov. 24 before dropping a 6-1 home game on Dec. 10. The Blazers were without leading scorer Logan Stankoven and starting goaltender Dylan Garand during the 6-1 loss due to both players serving for Team Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships.

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In the regular season, the second seed Blazers finished five points ahead of the fourth seed Thunderbirds.

If the Blazers win the best-of-seven series, they’ll play for the Ed Chynoweth Cup – formerly known as the President’s Cup – in the WHL Finals for the first time since 1999.

Game one between the Blazers and Thunderbirds is Friday (May 20) from Sandman Centre. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.

by Aaron Schulze

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Blazers to play Thunderbirds in WHL Western Conference Final

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