Kamloops Wins; Chiefs Up Next

Brad Lukowich and Bob Maudie of Kamloops scored third-period goals Thursday night to seal a 5-1 victory over the Tri-City Americans and advance the Blazers to the Western Hockey League division final.

Jarome Iginla and Hnat Domenichelli scored for Kamloops in the opening period and Ryan Rishaug gave the Blazers a 3-1 cushion entering the final 20 minutes.

Alexandre Boikov counted for the Americans in the first period of the deciding game of the best-of-five West Division final, but Kamloops dominated throughout the game, outshooting the Americans 39-18.

The Blazers, seeking their fourth Memorial Cup in five years, face the regular-season division champion Spokane Chiefs in a best-of-seven final that begins Saturday.

Spokane, which will have been off 10 days after overcoming a 3-0 deficit to get past Portland in seven games in the first round, was 7-0-1 against Kamloops this season.

xxxx
West Division finals Spokane opens the series at Kamloops on Saturday. The Chiefs announced that tickets for Game 5 at the Arena will go on sale today at 8 a.m. at the club ticket office and through G&B Select-A-Seat. Tickets remain for Games 3 and 4 in Spokane.