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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

WHL notes: Moose Jaw Warriors retire Ryan Smyth’s jersey

The Moose Jaw Warriors retired the No. 28 jersey of Ryan Smyth before last Friday’s game against the visiting Spokane Chiefs. Smyth totaled 110 goals and 224 points during 188 regular-season games with the Warriors from 1992-95. Smyth was selected sixth overall by Edmonton during the 1994 National Hockey League draft and spent 19 seasons in the NHL with the Oilers, New York Islanders, Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings. “This community means a lot to me,” Smyth told Matthew Gourlie of the Moose Jaw Times-Herald. “My wife is from here. I always keep track of how the Warriors are doing. … This is humbling and an honor for myself and my family.” After his jersey was raised to the rafters, the Warriors and Chiefs came off the bench to shake Smyth’s hand. Spokane won the game 3-2.
Cougars end dry spell
The Prince George Cougars ended a 12-game losing streak last Friday when 20-year-old Jari Erricson scored two goals, including the winner, during a 4-2 decision over the defending Memorial Cup champion Edmonton Oil Kings. The Cougars hadn’t won since Jan. 6, when they rolled past the visiting Tri-City Americans 8-4. Despite the losing skid, Prince George remains in the hunt for a postseason berth. Kamloops (48 points), Vancouver (47) and Prince George (45) are jockeying for the B.C. Division’s third and final automatic berth.
Not Hurricanes’ season
It took the Lethbridge Hurricanes a long time to reach 14 wins this season. Win No. 14 took even longer than necessary. The Hurricanes held off the visiting Medicine Hat Tigers 4-3 last Friday in a game delayed for a little more than an hour after a deep hole opened in the ice during the third period. After Enmax Centre attendants filled the hole and let it freeze, the game resumed at around 10 p.m. and neither team scored for the final 17:23. Lethbridge won its 15th game the following night by upsetting Central Division-leading Medicine Hat 4-1 on the road.
Around the league
The Kelowna Rockets improved to 7-0 over the Kamloops Blazers with a 5-2 win last Saturday at Kamloops. Kelowna finished 8-0 against Kamloops last season and has won the last 17 regular-season games against the Blazers. … The Regina Pats posted their 12th consecutive victory over the Saskatoon Blades with a 5-2 home decision last Friday. Saskatoon, which led 2-1 early in the third period, hasn’t defeated the Pats since March 9, 2013. … Regina rookie forward Luc Smith, playing in his 48th career game, scored his first goal during a 4-2 victory over the visiting Prince Albert Raiders on Feb. 3. “It felt like there was a monkey off my back,” Smith told Greg Harder of the Regina Leader-Post. “I felt like I could stand up a little higher, puff my chest a little more.” … Seattle’s Taran Kozun was named Canadian Hockey League Goaltender of the Week after stopping 26 shots last Friday while ending the Portland Winterhawks’ eight-game winning streak and following that with a 3-0 shutout of Vancouver on Saturday. … Brandon forward Rihards Bukarts was named WHL Player of the Week after posting four goals and three assists during four Wheat Kings victories. … The Kelowna Rockets have five of the league’s top 12 leaders in plus/minus, including Cole Martin, who is tied for first with Calgary’s Adam Tambellini at plus-39.