WHL roundup: Vanecek scores late winner, Americans edge Cougars

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — Jakub Vanecek’s goal at 18:45 of the third period snapped a 3-3 deadlock and lifted the visiting Tri-City Americans to a 4-3 Western Hockey League victory over the Prince George Cougars on Sunday at the CN Centre.

The Cougars had erased a 3-1 deficit with a goal in the final minute of the second period and another one before the third period was four minutes old.

Crew Martinson, David Krcal and Cruz Pavao also scored for the Americans (2-5-0-0), while Savin Virk chipped in with two assists.

Carson Carels had a goal and two assists for the Cougars (5-2-0-0), while Bauer Dumanski and Kooper Gizowski netted singles. The Cougars outshot the Americans 30-25.

The teams were tied 1-1 after the first period and the Americans led 3-2 heading into the third.

Xavier Wendt stopped 27 of 30 shots for the Americans, while Joshua Ravensbergen stopped 21 of 25 shots for the Cougars.

Elsewhere in the WHL on Sunday:

BRANDON, Man. — Hudson Darby had a goal and two assists, netminder Joey Rocha stopped 41 of 45 shots, and the visiting Swift Current Broncos edged the Brandon Wheat Kings 5-4.

Zach Pantelakis, Stepan Kuryachenkov, Josh McGregor and Sawyer Dingman also scored for the Broncos (4-4-0-0), who led 2-0 after the first period and 5-2 heading into the third. Noah Kosick chipped in with two assists.

Luke Mistelbacher scored twice for the Wheat Kings (1-5-1-0), while Caleb Hadland and Joby Baumuller netted singles. Jaxon Jacobson had three assists for the Wheaties, who outshot the visitors 45-17.

Wheat Kings goaltender Filip Ruzicka stopped nine of 11 shots and Jayden Kraus stopped three of six shots.

The Broncos were 2-for-5 on the power play, while the Wheat Kings went 0-for-4.

WENATCHEE, Wash. — Sam Elliott had two goals and two assists, Josh Toll had four assists, and the Wenatchee Wild beat the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds 7-3.

Mason Kraft had a goal and two assists for the Wild (1-4-1-1), while Dawson Seitz, Luka Shcherbyna, Zane Saab and Maddix McCagherty netted singles.

Brock England had a goal and assist for the Thunderbirds (3-5-0-0), while Matej Pekar and Colton Gerrior added singles.

The Wild went 3-for-7 on the power play, while the Thunderbirds were 0-for-4.

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