WHL Roundup: Tij Iginla scores two goals in season debut for Rockets

KELOWNA — Ludovic Perreault scored the shootout winner as the Victoria Royals outlasted the Kelowna Rockets 6-5 in a shootout on Wednesday in Western Hockey League action.

Perreault, Cruz Waltze, Nolan Stewart, Heath Nelson and Hayden Moore provided the offence in regulation for Victoria (4-2-2). Ethan Eskit made 31 saves.

Utah Mammoth prospect Tij Iginla, with two goals, Tomas Poletin, Kalder Varga and Hayden Paupanekis replied for Kelowna (3-3-0-1). Iginla, a first-round Utah pick, was making his season debut. Harrison Boettiger stopped 21 shots.

Nelson put the Royals ahead 5-3 at 13:10 of the third period with a power-play goal.

But Varga, with 3:21 remaining in regulation, and Iginla with 25 seconds left, pulled the Rockets even to send the game to overtime.

CHIEFS 3, HURRICANES 2 (SO)

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — Mathis Preston scored the shootout winner as the Spokane Chiefs defeated the Lethbridge Hurricanes 3-2. 

Brody Gillespie and Smyth Rebman scored in regulation for Spokane (5-4-0), while Linus Vieillard made 30 saves.

Luke Cozens and Shane Smith replied for Lethbridge (2-8-0-1). Koen Cleaver kicked out 32 shots.

MOOSE JAW, Sask. — Tommy Lafreniere and Josh Evaschesen each scored twice as the Kamloops Blazers used a five-goal third period to earn a 7-5 comeback win over the Moose Jaw Warriors.

Nathan Behm, JP Hurlbert and Cooper Moore provided the rest of the offence for Kamloops (5-4-0). Logan Edmonstone surrendered five goals on 22 shots, while Ivans Kufterins stopped all 10 shots he faced in relief.

Aiden Ziprick, with two goals, Gage Nagel, Landen McFadden and Nolan Paquette scored for Moose Jaw (4-4-1). Matthew Hutchison turned away 25-of-31 shots.

OIL KINGS 6, WINTERHAWKS 3

EDMONTON — Lukas Sawchyn scored twice as the Edmonton Oil Kings topped the Portland Winterhawks 6-3.

Kayden Stroeder, Poul Andersen, Joe Iginla and Landon Hanson also scored for Edmonton (8-2-0). Parker Snell made 29 saves.

Jordan Duguay, with two goals, and Alex Weiermair replied for Portland (4-5-0). Ondrej Stebeták stopped 27-of-32 shots.

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