SASKATOON — Max Gerlach had a natural hat trick to lead the Medicine Hat Tigers to their ninth win in a row, an 8-2 rout of the Saskatoon Blades on Saturday in Western Hockey League action.

Chad Butcher had a pair of goals as Medicine Hat (20-5-1) strengthened its grip on the top spot in the WHL. Zach Fischer, David Quenneville and John Dahlstrom rounded out the Tigers' attack, while Nick Schneider made 22 saves for the win.

Braylon Shmyr had both goals for Saskatoon (10-16-1). Logan Flodell stopped 17-of-21 shots for the Blades in 22:27 of work, before Gerlach's first goal chased him from net and made it 4-2. Brock Hamm turned aside 18-of-22 shots in relief.

Medicine Hat was 3 for 7 on the power play and the Blades went 1 for 7 with the man advantage.

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HURRICANES 4 HITMEN 2

CALGARY — Tyler Wong had a hat trick to bring his season total up to 16 goals as Lethbridge doubled the Hitmen.

Giorgio Estephan had the power-play winner for the Hurricanes (11-11-3) at the 15:22 mark of the first period.

Micheal Zipp and Beck Malenstyn scored as Calgary (8-12-2) lost its third straight.

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SILVERTIPS 3 COUGARS 0

EVERETT, Wash. — Carter Hart stopped all 26 shots he faced as the Silvertips shut out Prince George.

Montana Onyebuchi, Bryce Kindopp and Patrick Bajkov supplied the offence for Everett (18-3-4).

Ty Edmonds made 18 saves for the Cougars (18-5-2).

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ROCKETS 3 PATS 2 (OT)

KELOWNA, B.C. — Kole Lind scored 3:25 into overtime as the Rockets eked out a win over Regina.

Tomas Soustal and Devante Stephens also scored for Kelowna (14-11-0).

Nick Henry and Lane Zablocki supplied the offence for the Pats (17-2-4).

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BRONCOS 4 ICE 3

CRANBROOK, B.C. — Tyler Steenbergen had the game-winning goal 7:54 into the third period as Swift Current edged Kootenay.

Lane Pederson, Kaden Elder and Kole Gable also scored for the Broncos (14-8-6).

Vince Loschiavo, Jake Elmer and Matt Alfaro replied for the Ice (5-15-6).

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WARRIORS 5 REBELS 2

RED DEER, Alta. — Jayden Halbgewachs struck twice — once on the power play — to lead Moose Jaw past the Rebels.

Jett Woo and Nikita Popugaev also scored on the power play for the Warriors (15-5-4) and Brett Howden added one at even strength.

Power-play goals from Brandon Hagel and Josh Mahura gave Red Deer (12-11-4) an early 2-0 lead.

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THUNDERBIRDS 5 ROYALS 0

KENT, Wash. — Matt Berlin turned aside all 19 shots he faced as Seattle blanked Victoria.

Mathew Barzal had a power-play goal and added three assists for the Thunderbirds (13-9-2), while Ethan Bear scored and tacked on two assists. Ryan Gropp, Jarret Tyszka and Sami Moilanen added singles of their own.

Griffen Outhouse started in net for the Royals (14-11-2), stopping 10-of-13 shots in 14:24 of work. Dylan Myskiw made 19 saves on 21 shots in relief.

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OIL KINGS 6 CHIEFS 5

SPOKANE, Wash. — Lane Bauer's goal 6:52 into the third stood up as the winner as Edmonton slipped past the Chiefs.

Kobe Mohr, Artyom Baltruk, Aaronirving, Tyson Gruninger and Tyler Robertson also scored for the Oil Kings (11-13-2).

Jaret Anderson-Dolan had a pair of goals while Hudson Elynuik scored once and set up two more for Spokane (10-9-5). Taylor Ross and Keanu Yamamoto also scored.

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AMERICANS 3 GIANTS 2 (SO)

KENNEWICK, Wash. — Tyler Sandhu scored once in regulation, then added the shootout winner as Tri-City came from behind to beat Vancouver.

Dylan Coghlan also found the back of the net for the Americans (16-9-2).

Ty Ronning and Tyler Popowich built up a 2-0 first-period lead for the Giants (10-16-5), who have dropped five in a row.

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