Kamloops sweeps Winterhawks with decisive 10-4 win in Game 4

PORTLAND — Anaheim Ducks prospect Olen Zellweger scored three goals and had three assists, and Matthew Seminoff also had a hat trick as the Kamloops Blazers finished off the Portland Winterhawks with a 10-4 victory in Game 4 of their Western Hockey League second-round playoff series Thursday.

For the fourth straight game, Kamloops opened the scoring and quickly took a 3-0 lead on goals from Seminoff, Kyle Masters and Logan Stankoven.

Portland responded, though, with quick strikes by Ryan McCleary at 14:20, and Diego Buttazzoni at 15:52. It was Buttazzoni’s first career playoff goal.

The game was up for grabs at 3-2 heading into the second period, but the Blazers’ potent attack netted five goals to take control.

Seminoff scored twice to complete his hat trick and was joined by Zellweger and Stankoven.

A goal from Jack O’Brien at 6:47 and Buttazzoni’s second strike of the game at 17:57 broke up the barrage for the Hawks.

Zellweger wrapped up his own hat trick just under two minutes into the third and Caedan Bankier added another late in the contest.

Kamloops’ Dylan Ernst finished with 23 saves in his team’s eighth consecutive win.

Portland’s Dante Giannuzzi and Jan Špunar combined for 38 saves in the game.

Kamloops advances to play the top-seed Seattle Thunderbirds in the Western Conference finals beginning April 29 at ShoWare Center in Kent.