4/27 Recap: Pysyk, Shipley advance; Leduc lights lamp

Mark Pysyk recorded an assist Friday as Edmonton won the WHL Eastern Conference final with a 4-1 win over Moose Jaw. Following the game, the captain opted to honor the superstition of not touching the conference trophy as part of their preparation for what should be an amazing championship battle with the Portland Winterhawks. Pysyk, who has seven points (2+5) and a +6 rating through 13 playoff games, will now draw the assignment of shutting down a Ty Rattie-Sven Bartschi combo that has combined for 54 points in 15 games. The series opens next Thursday in Edmonton.

Steven Shipley went without a point as Niagara captured their first Bobby Orr Trophy as OHL Eastern Eastern Conference champions with a 3-2 game five win over Ottawa. The 6'3 center has posted just one assist in his last 11 games while showing upped intensity and third-line checking value. The IceDogs, who skated the trophy around the ice for the home fans, move on to face the London Knights for the rights to represent the Ontario Hockey League at the 2012 Memorial Cup.

Elsewhere, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc scored his eighth goal of the playoffs as Rimouski inched their way closer to a berth in the QMJHL final with a 9-0 shellacking of Halifax. The power play mark was Leduc's 15th point in 16 games. His eight goals are three more than any other Canadian junior blueliner this postseason. Holding the 3-2 series lead, the Oceanic will need the momentum of the blowout win when they skate into Halifax for Sunday's game six.