Blazers sweep Chiefs, await end of Everett-Vancouver series to learn which team they face next

The Kamloops Blazers advanced to the second round of the 2022 Western Hockey League playoffs after sweeping the Spokane Chiefs in the opening round.

Behind a hat trick from Logan Stankoven, Kamloops defeated Spokane 3-0 in the Washington city on Friday night (April 29) to sweep the best-of-seven series in four games, with the first three wins coming on home ice at Sandman Centre .

The Blazers outshot the Chiefs 45-20, with Dylan Garand recording the shutout in net.

Which team Kamloops faces in the second round is very much in the air after the Vancouver Giants stunned the powerhouse Everett Silvertips 11-5 in Langley on Friday to knot that series at 2-2.

Both Kamloops and the Portland Winterhawks swept their opening round series and are awaiting the end of the Everett-Vancouver series to learn which opponent is next.

The fourth Western Conference series ended on Friday when the hometown Seattle Thunderbirds defeated the Kelowna Rockets 4-3 in overtime to claim that series in five games.

With the WHL reverting to a conference playoff format (1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6 and 4 vs 5), the teams are reseeded every round.

Everett was the top seed in the opening round, followed by Kamloops at No. 2, Portland at No. 3, Seattle at No. 4th, Kelowna at No. 5, Prince George at No. 6, Spokane at No. 7 and Vancouver at No. 8th.

If Everett defeats Vancouver, the Blazers will face Portland in the second round. If Vancouver upsets Everett, the Blazers will face the Giants. In either case, Kamloops will have home ice advantage.

Game 5 between Vancouver and Everett will be played on Saturday in the US city at 6 pm