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Rockets to face ‘Hawks in second round

WHL Western Conference semifinal begins Friday night in Kelowna
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Calvin Thurkauf and the Kelowna Rockets will battle Skyler McKenzie and the Portland Winterhawks -Image credit: Marissa Baecker/Shoot the Breeze

A pair of familiar Western Conference foes are about to renew acquaintances.

For the fifth time in seven seasons, the Kelowna Rockets and Portland Winterhawks will meet in the Western Hockey League playoffs.

Game 1 in the best-of-seven conference semifinal is set for Friday night at Prospera Place.

The Winterhawks advanced after finishing off the Prince George Cougars in six games with a 4-2 victory Monday night in Portland.

The Rockets beat the Kamloops Blazers in six games, closing out the series with a 4-2 win Sunday at the Sandman Centre.

The Rockets and ‘Hawks last met in the playoffs in 2015, with Kelowna winning the Western Conference final four games to two.

Game 2 of the series goes Saturday in Kelowna, with Games 3 and 4 set for Portland next Tuesday and Wednesday nights.