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Western Conference Championship Series Preview

April 22, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


CALGARY, AB - The Western Conference Championship Series opens this Friday as the Kelowna Rockets and the Portland Winterhawks continue their quest to become the 49th WHL Champions and earn a spot at the 2015 MasterCard Memorial Cup in Quebec City, QC.

The Rockets have reached the Western Conference Championship Series for a second consecutive year after they took their Round 2 match-up against the Victoria Royals in five games. Kelowna now meet s a familiar foe in the Portland, who took care of the Everett Silvertips in five games last round to make their fifth straight Western Conference Championship Series appearance.

Here's a look at the Western Conference Championship Series:

KELOWNA ROCKETS vs PORTLAND WINTERHAWKS

2014-15 Regular Season Records

Kelowna: 53-13-5-1, 112pts

Portland: 43-23-2-4, 92pts

2014-15 Head-to-Head Records

Kelowna: 1-1-2-0, 4pts

Portland: 3-1-0-0, 6pts

2014-15 Head-to-Head Top Scorers

Rourke Chartier (KEL) 4gp-5g-2a, 7pts

Madison Bowey (KEL) 4gp-1g-3a, 4pts

Nick Merkley (KEL) 4gp-0g-4a, 4pts

Chase De Leo (POR) 4gp-3g-1a, 4pts

Oliver Bjorkstrand (POR) 4gp-2g-2a, 4pts

Alex Schoenborn (POR) 4gp-2g-2a, 4pts

The Kelowna Rockets and the Portland Winterhawks renew a rivalry as the two Clubs meet in the Western Conference Championship Series for the second straight season. Former 'Hawk Brendan Leipsic had 8 points (4g-4a) as Portland defeated the Rockets in five games last year to advance to the 2014 WHL Championship Series. The Rockets and Winterhawks also meet for the fourth occasion over the past five post-seasons . Portland has won all three prior match-ups.

The Rockets made it through the first two rounds of the 2015 WHL Playoffs with little trouble as they swept the Tri-City Americans in Round 1 before knocking off the Victoria Royals in five games in Round 2 . In their first two series, Kelowna has outscored their opposition by a 43-20 margin. Edmonton Oilers prospect Leon Draisaitl leads the Club in post-season scoring with 15 points (4g-11a) while Tyson Baillie has recorded 12 points (7 g-5a) including four game-winn ers. The Rockets have displayed a balanced attack as they have 10 players with at least two goals while five players have record ed 10 points or more through two rounds. Defensively, Kelowna has allowed the fewest goals of all remaining playoff teams (20). The Rockets ' penalty kill has been stingy so far with only four power play goals against for a success rate of 91.3%, a League best. Kelowna has a decision to make in the crease as goaltenders Jackson Whistle and Michael Herringer have both been steady so far. Whistle has posted a 2.35 goals against average, a .914 save percentage and a league -leading three shutouts to earn six of Kelowna's wins. Meanwhile, Herringer boasts a 0.74 goals against average and a .957 save percentage with a pair of wins to his credit.

The Winterhawks return to the Western Conference Championship Series for a fifth consecutive year after they knocked out the Seattle Thunderbirds in six games before defeating the Everett Silvertips in five games. Winnipeg Jets prospect Nic Petan had a strong series against the Silvertips as he registered 10 points (2g-8a) which included three multiple-point performances. Petan has also scored a total of 19 points (7g-12a) over an 11-game point streak this post-season. Regular season scoring champion Oliver Bjorkstrand leads all skaters in playoff goal scoring with 10 while his 18 points are good enough for third-best. The Winterhawks and Rockets met on four occasions in the regular season with the Winterhawks winning three of the match-ups. Look for the 'Hawks to continue to count on rookie goaltender Adin Hill, who enters the Western Conference Championship Series with a .902 save percentage and all eight post-season wins.

Series Schedule

Date Game Away

Home Time (PDT) Arena

Friday, April 24 1 Portland @ Kelowna 7:05pm Prospera Place

Saturday, April 25 2 Portland @ Kelowna 7:05pm Prospera Place

Tuesday, April 28 3 Kelowna @ Portland 7:00pm Moda Center

Wednesday, April 29 4 Kelowna @ Portland 7:00pm Moda Center

Friday, May 1 5* Portland @ Kelowna 7:05pm Prospera Place

Sunday, May 3 6* Kelowna @ Portland 5:00pm TBD

Tuesday, May 5 7* Portland @ Kelowna 7:05pm Prospera Place

*If necessary

Current NHL Prospects

Kelowna Rockets

Player Position YOB NHL Club

Josh Morrissey D 1995 Winnipeg Jets

Justin Kirkland LW 1996 Nashville Predators

Leon Draisaitl C 1995 Edmonton Oilers

Madison Bowey D 1995 Washington Capitals

Mitchell Wheaton D 1995 Detroit Red Wings

Rourke Chartier C 1996 San Jose Sharks

Tyrell Goulbourne LW 1994 Philadelphia Flyers

Portland Winterhawks

Player Position YOB NHL Club

Alex Schoenborn RW 1995 San Jose Sharks

Anton Cederholm D 1995 Vancouver Canucks

Blake Heinrich D 1995 Washington Capitals

Chase De Leo C 1995 Winnipeg Jets

Dominic Turgeon C 1996 Detroit Red Wings

Keegan Iverson C 1996 New York Rangers

Nic Petan C 1995 Winnipeg Jets

Oliver Bjorkstrand RW 1995 Columbus Blue Jackets

2015 NHL Draft Prospects

Kelowna Rockets

Player Position YOB NHL CSS Final Ranking

Nick Merkley RW 1997 23 (NA Skaters)

Portland Winterhawks

Player Position YOB NHL CSS Final Ranking

Adin Hill G 1996 4 (NA Goalies)

Paul Bittner LW 1996 26 (NA Skaters)

Keoni Texeira D 1997 143 (NA Skaters)

Evan Weinger RW 1997 161 (NA Skaters)

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