Lethbridge Prevails 7-2 Over Seattle

Shane Willis scored three goals as the Lethbridge Hurricanes opened the Western Hockey League championship series with a 7-2 romp over the Seattle Thunderbirds Friday night.

Willis sparked a four-goal outburst in the final 6-1/2 minutes of the second period as the Hurricanes snapped a 1-1 tie. Mike Josephson, Kirby Law and Martin Hohenberger also scored before the end of the period to put Lethbridge in control, after the Hurricanes were outshot 17-6 in the first period.

Byron Ritchie also scored for the winners while Randy Perry and Jame Pollock replied for Seattle.

Blaine Russell stopped 31 of 33 shots for the winners while Jeff Blair was tested 32 times in the Seattle net.

Game 2 is tonight in Lethbridge.