Sports

Jamie Benn had a goal and three assists, leading the Kelowna Rockets to a 5-3 victory over the Kamloops Blazers Wednesday.

The win completes a four game sweep of their first round series as the Rockets advance to round two of the Western Hockey League playoffs.

The Rockets won't know for a few days when, where or against whom they will meet in round two. The series will likely begin Friday, April 3.

The Rockets had to battle back as the Blazers held leads of 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2.

Tyson Barrie tapped home his own rebound at the side of the Blazers net 12:24 into the second period to snap a 3-3 tie.

Stepan Novotny scored on a breakaway two minutes later to give the Rockets a two goal cushion. The third period was scoreless.

The Blazers special teams accounted for all three of their goals, two on the power-play along with a shorthanded marker.

That marked the third straight game the Blazers have scored shorthanded in the series.

After 15-year-old Colin Smith opened the scoring on the power-play, Benn responded with his third goal of the series in the final minute of the first to even the score at 1-1.

The floodgates opened in the second as the teams combined for six goals.

Tyler Myers would tie the game at two before Ian Duval knotted it at three. Both goals came with the Blazers shorthanded as the Rockets power-play went 2-8 on the night.

The Rockets were just 2-25 with the man advantage prior to Wednesday's outburst.

Goals from Benn and Barrie came with the teams playing four-on-four.

The game featured a little bit of everything, including a penalty shot. Lucas Bloodoff was awarded the penalty shot after he was hauled down midway through the second with the score tied 3-3.

He was unable to beat Justin Leclerc, however, Barrie made no mistake, scoring the winner 21 seconds later.

The Rockets out shot Kamloops 43-24. More than half of those shots (22), came during the wild second period.

Benn's four points give him three goals and seven assists as he leads all playoff scorers with 10 points.

The Vancouver Giants also swept their series with Prince George, beating the Cougars 3-2 Wednesday.

The other two Western Conference series are still going on.

Spokane leads Seattle three games to one while Tri-City enjoys a 2-1 lead in their series with Everett.

If Tri-City holds on to win, the Rockets would take on the Americans in round two. That series would begin in Tri-City.

Should Everett provide the upset, the Rockets would enjoy home ice advantage against the Spokane-Seattle winner.