For the second straight season, the Winterhawks are Western Conference champions.

The Hawks defeated the Tri-City Americans 4-1 in Game 4 to sweep the Western Conference Final to advance to the WHL Final. Ty Rattie was named the series MVP after he posted four goals and two assists for six points in four games.

The game was played in front of a raucous sellout crowd of 10,947 at the Rose Garden.

Portland now awaits the winner of the Eastern Conference Final between the Edmonton Oil Kings and Moose Jaw Warriors.

The Winterhawks peppered the Americans with 61 shots in Game 4. Portland was held scoreless through two before exploding for four goals in the third period to earn the win.

Tri-Cities opened the scoring when Adam Hughesman tallied a power play marker at the 17:40 mark of the first as they took a 1-0 lead into the second period.

After a scoreless second period, the Winterhawks finally broke through at the 6:42 mark when Cam Reid scored on a shot from the right faceoff circle to make it 1-1. Less than a minute later, Marcel Noebels gave Portland a 2-1 lead on his fifth goal of the playoffs.

Sven Bartschi made it 3-1 on a goal at the 16:57 mark, then Portland put the game away when Brad Ross scored at the 17:23 mark to give Portland the 4-1 win.

Portland finished with a 61-40 advantage in shots on goal. Mac Carruth stopped 39 of the 40 shots he faced, including all 24 shots over the second and third period. Ty Rimmer finished with 57 saves on 61 shots.