The Calgary Hitmen have pulled off a first-round upset in the Western Hockey League playoffs.  

The Hitmen built up a 3 - 0 lead after the first period before needing an empty net goal to secure a 4 - 2 victory over Zachary Cox of Balzac and the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

The win gives Calgary a 4 - 3 series victory and a ticket to face the Edmonton Oil Kings in the next round.

After the Hitmen built up their lead after one period, Cox got the 'Canes back on track with his second goal of the series 2:49 into the second period.  After 40 minutes it was a tight 3 - 2 game but Calgary held off the Hurricanes in the third to get the win.

That leaves just two local players in the WHL postseason, both of them from Airdrie.  Jake Neighbours had four assists in the first round series for the Oil Kings as they knocked off the Medicine Hat Tigers in seven games with the last one going to overtime before it was decided.  The first game of the Calgry-Edmonton series goes on Saturday night in Edmonton.

Gary Haden and the Saskatoon Blades face the Prince Albert Raiders in the first game of that second-round series on Friday night in Prince Albert.   

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