(Kamloops) Jared Davidson and Jordan Gustafson scored in eight seconds in the second period as the Seattle Thunderbirds beat the Kamloops Blazers 6-1 on Wednesday to earn a berth in the Memorial Cup semifinals.
The WHL champion Thunderbirds finished the round robin with a 2-1 record.
Kamloops (1-2) and Ontario champion Peterborough Petes (1-2) will face off Thursday night to see who will play against the T-Birds.
The winners of the semi-final will face the Quebec Remparts on Sunday.
Hope of the CH, Davidson made it 2-1 on the power play at 6: 39 in the second period, with a shot from the wrists.
Gustafson quickly doubled the advantage after a Kamloops blunder behind the net.
Kyle Crnkovic, Luke Prokop and Colton Dach scored in the third period.
Lucas Ciona netted Seattle’s first goal early in the first period. Ryan Hofer tied the game amidst that engagement.
Thomas Milic made 30 saves for the Thunderbirds.
Seattle is trying to become the third American team to win the tournament, after Portland (1983, 1998) and Spokane (1998, 2008).
The Memorial Cup was first played in 1919.