Neibrandt, Leach, Ice: Off to WHL Final

Max Reinhardt scored five goals, Cody Eakin had the other two, as the Kootenay Ice wasted no time finishing off the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL's Eastern Conference Final in 4 games. They advanced with a 7-2 decision Wednesday night.

So local products John Neibrandt (Rhein, SK... former Terrier) and Joey Leach (Wadena, SK) will get to taste the Western Hockey League Final... and if they get four more wins, we'll be watching them on Sportsnet next month during the Memorial Cup.

The Ice, who finished 4th in the Eastern Conference before beating Moose Jaw in 6 games, and sweeping both Saskatoon and Medicine Hat, have now won 11 straight playoff games, but will certainly be in tough, facing one of the top two teams in the West, in either Portland or Spokane.

Last night, Ryan Johansen tied it late, and Portland won it in overtime 3-2 over Spokane, to take a 2-1 series lead over Davis Vandane and the Chiefs. Game 4 is Friday. The scores in that series have been 2-1, 2-1, 3-2 (OT). If it goes seven games, it won't be decided until May 3rd. Either way, Kootenay's probably off until May 6th, when the final would likely start.

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Saskatchewan finished with 3 wins and a tie in the round robin at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship in Saskatoon.

Team Sask beat Ontario 5-2 yesterday afternoon, and then tied B.C. 1-1 last night.

Yorkton Terriers' Assistant Coach Danny McKay coaches the team, who are looking for their 4th straight gold medal at the event.

They finished 1st in the round robin, meaning they bypass today's Quarter-Finals, and play a Semi-Final game tomorrow (FRI) night at 8:30.