Kelowna wraps up WHL championship

BRANDON, Manitoba – The defending Memorial Cup champion Kelowna Rockets will get the chance to defend their title this month.

The Rockets clinched the best-of-7 Western Hockey League championship series 4-1 with a commanding 8-3 victory over the Brandon Wheat Kings on Friday night to earn a return trip to the Memorial Cup, slated for May 21-29 in London, Ontario.

Brandon goaltender Tyler Plante made 46 saves. Kristofer Westblom, again subbing for injured No.1 goaltender Derek Yeomans, stopped 29 shots for Kelowna.

The Rockets, who won two straight at Brandon, led 2-0 after the first period and 4-1 following the second.