PORTLAND – The Portland Winterhawks defeated the Kelowna Rockets 4-2 on Tuesday night, April 11, in Portland in game three of the second round of the 2017 WHL playoffs.

Evan Weinger (2) got the first goal of the contest 4:06 into the opening frame for the Winterhawks. At 11:23 Calvin Thurkauf (2) responded for the Rockets on the power play on a tip in front and the score was 1-1 after 20 minutes of play.

The Winterhawks collected three second period goals. Goal scorers were Joachim Blichfeld (4)(PP), Caleb Jones (1), and Skyler McKenzie (4) (SH). Portland took a 4-1 lead into the final frame.

At 18:33 of the third Thurkauf scored his second power play goal of the night and third of the post season but it wouldn't be enough as the Rockets fell 4-2.

Michael Herringer made 26 saves in the effort as the two clubs tied in shots 30-30.

Thurkauf finished the night with two goals while Reid Gardiner finished with two assists.

Kelowna currently leads the best-of-seven series 2-1.

Game four goes tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. at the Veteran Memorial Coliseum in Portland.

The series will then shift back to Kelowna for game five on Friday at 7:05 p.m. at Prospera Place. Tickets go on sale at the Select Your Tickets box office at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, April 12.

If necessary the series will shift back to Portland for game six.