Whl Title Goes To Lethbridge

Goaltender Blaine Russell made 29 saves and the Lethbridge Hurricanes advanced to the Memorial Cup tournament with a 5-1 victory over Seattle on Wednesday night to claim the Western Hockey League championship.

Lethbridge swept the best-of-7 WHL final. Russell was named the playoffs’ most valuable player.

The Memorial Cup is scheduled for May 10-18 at Hull, Quebec.

Matt Demarski, Mike Josephson, Travis Brigley, Mark Smith and Darren Shakotko scored for the Hurricanes.

Rick Berry had the lone Seattle goal.

Demarski gave the Hurricanes a 1-0 lead at 14:16 of the first period.

Josephson made it 2-0 on a power play at 4:25 of the second.

Berry cut the lead to one at 5:48 of the third, but Brigley restored the two-goal margin with a short-handed goal at 8:06.

Smith, at 13:07, and Shakotko, at 15:18, added insurance goals.

Jeff Blair made 24 saves for the Thunderbirds.