READING, PA – In the WHL playoffs, the Spokane Chiefs and the Tri-City Americans ended their respective playoff series in five games. Both teams now advance to the second round of the playoffs. 
Below is a recap of each series. #4 seed Spokane Chiefs vs #5 seed Seattle Thunderbirds Drayson Bowman, a third round pick in 2007 (72nd overall), scored twice and set up another to lead the Spokane Chiefs to a 5-3 win over the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds in Game 5 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series. With the victory, the Chiefs win the best-of-seven series 4-1 and advance to the Kal Tire WHL Western Conference semifinals to face the Vancouver Giants. Mitch Wahl, a second round pick in 2008 (48th overall), notched a goal and two assists, while Brady Calla, a third round pick of Florida in 2006, and Justin McCrae, a fourth round pick in 2007 of the Carolina Hurricanes, each added a goal for the Chiefs who win their fifth consecutive WHL Playoff series, dating back to last season. Dustin Tokarski, a fifth round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning, made 31 saves to earn the win. Thomas Hickey, a first round pick of the Los Angeles Kings (fourth overall), had a goal and an assist for Seattle. Calvin Pickard made 30 saves in a losing cause. Bowman had 5 goals and 2 assists in the series. Levko Koper had 2 goals and 5 assists. Tokarski is fourth among goaltenders with a 1.81 goals against average and is second in save percentage (.943). Series recap Spokane wins series 4 – 1 Game 1 – SPOKANE 2, Seattle 1 Game 2 – Seattle 2, SPOKANE 1 Game 3 – Spokane 5, SEATTLE 1 Game 4 – Spokane 3, SEATTLE 2 Game 5 – SPOKANE 5, Seattle 3 #2 seed Tri-City Americans vs #7 seed Everett Silvertips Jordan Messier scored two goals to lead the Tri-City Americans to a 6-1 victory over the Everett Silvertips in Game 5 of their Kal Tire WHL Western Conference quarter-final series on Saturday to close out the series. With the victory, the Americans win the best-of-seven series four games to one and move on to the Kal Tire WHL Western Conference semi-final to face the Kelowna Rockets. Taylor Procyshen had a goal and an assist, while Mitch McColm, Jason Reese and Brooks Macek also scored for the Americans, who move on to the second round of the playoffs for the second straight season. Chet Pickard, a first round pick of the Nashville Predators (18th overall in 2008), made 26 saves to record the victory. Mitch Fadden, also a Lighting prospect taken in the fourth round in 2007, is tied in playoff scoring with 9 points (2 goals and 7 assists). Pickard has a 2.32 goals against average and a save percentage of .915. Series recap Tri-City wins series 4 – 1 Game 1 – TRI-CITY 6, Everett 5 OT Game 2 – Everett 3, TRI-CITY 2 Game 3 – Tri-City 4, EVERETT 2 Game 4 – Tri-City 4, EVERETT 1 Game 5 – TRI-CITY 6, Everett 1 In other series, Saskatoon leads Lethbridge 3-2. If the Blades win their series they will take on the Brandon Wheat Kings. Swift Current is also up 3-2 in their series against Medicine Hat. Contact the author at Brian.Jennings@prohockeynews.com
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