WHL playoffs: Blades complete comeback, beat Rebels 5-2 in Game 7

SASKATOON – It’s not exactly how they imagined it, or drew it up, but the Saskatoon Blades have advanced to the Western Hockey League’s Eastern Conference final after beating the visiting Red Deer Rebels 5-2 on Tuesday night.

The Blades, who dropped the first three games of the best-of-seven series to the Rebels, rattled off four straight wins to punch their ticket to the conference final and a date with the powerful Winnipeg ICE.

Conner Roulette and Spencer Shugrue each scored twice for the Blades, while Vaughn Watterodt added a single into an empty net.

Hunter Mayo and Ryker Singer scored for the Rebels, who were outshot 28-25.

The teams were tied 1-1 after the first period and 2-2 after the second.

The ICE defeated the Moose Jaw Warriors 4-2 in their series, winning three straight after falling behind 2-1.

The Kamloops Blazers and Seattle Thunderbirds will open the best-of-seven Western Conference final on Saturday in Seattle, Wash. The Blazers will host, and play in, the 2023 Memorial Cup from May 26 to June 4.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 25, 2023.