KAMLOOPS, B.C. — Forward Dylan Guenther scored a hat trick and added an assist, and the Seattle Thunderbirds beat the Kamloops Blazers 8-4 in the Western Hockey League playoffs.
The Thunderbirds now lead the best-of-seven Western Conference final series 3-1.
Kevin Korchinski, Kyle Crnkovic, Jared Davidson, Bryce Pickford and Reid Schaefer also scored for Seattle. Guenther leads the WHL playoffs with 14 goals.
Olen Zellweger scored twice, and Matthew Seminoff and Dylan Sydor each had one for Kamloops.
The Thunderbirds won the first two games at home this series. The Blazers responded to take Game 3 before losing Game 4 at home. The series now moves back to Seattle for Game 5 with Kamloops' season on the brink.
The Winnipeg Ice await the winner in the WHL final after sweeping the Saskatoon Blades to win the Eastern Conference.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 5, 2023.
The Canadian Press
