Welcome to this edition of THN's 2025 WHL Playoffs Daily Recap. This recurring article will provide summaries of action from the WHL post-season throughout the playoffs. Here is a look at the seven games from April 2.
Calgary Hitmen 6, Saskatoon Blades 2
Calgary Wins Series 4-0
The WHL Playoffs have their first advancement, as the Hitmen complete the sweep of the Blades. After a scoreless first period, the two teams exploded for a six-goal second period that saw Calgary take a 3-0 lead, and Saskatoon nearly take it back. The Hitmen would add two more in the third, and skate away with a 6-2 win and move on to round two.
3 Stars:Calgary: Ben Kindel- 3 GoalsCalgary: Tanner Howe- 3 AssistsCalgary: Carter Yakemchuk- 1 Goal, 1 Assist
Edmonton Oil Kings 3, Prince Albert Raiders 2
Edmonton Leads Series 3-1
Carrying the same result as game three, the Oil Kings got up to a 3-0 lead through 40 minutes, but the Raiders would not go down quietly. Former Oil King Rilen Kovacevic and Niall Crocker scored to bring the game within one, but Edmonton shut the door after that and comes to within one win on the second round.
3 Stars:
Edmonton: Gavin Hodnett- 1 Goal, 1 Assist
Edmonton: Lukas Sawchyn- 1 Goal
Prince Albert: Aiden Oiring- 1 Assist
Medicine Hat Tigers 4, Swift Current Broncos 3 (OT)
Medicine Hat Leads Series 3-1
Swift Current was hungry to tie the series on Wednesday, as they got out to an early 2-0 lead. The Tigers would have something to say about that, as three unanswered gave them the lead. Luke Mistelbacher tied it up with his first of the playoffs, but Hunter St. Martin was the OT hero, pushing Medicine Hat closer to a series victory.
3 Stars:
Medicine Hat: Hunter St. Martin- 1 Goal (GWG), 1 Assist
Swift Current: Reid Dyck- 44 Saves
Medicine Hat: Gavin McKenna- 2 Goals, 1 Assist
Brandon Wheat Kings 6, Lethbridge Hurricanes 4
Lethbridge Leads Series 3-1
Desperate for a win to stay a live, Brandon came into this game with a chip on their shoulder. Exchanging goals the entire game, the Wheat Kings finally broke a 4-4 tie with six minutes remaining in regulation and would add an empty netter to claw their way back into the series.3 Stars:
Brandon: Matteo Michels- 2 Goals
Brandon: Luke Shipley- 1 Goal, 1 Assist
Brandon: Ethan Eskit- 38 Saves
Tri-City Americans 6, Victoria Royals 4
Victoria Leads Series 3-1
Another team fighting for their playoff lives, Tri-City was ahead nearly the entire game- but Victoria was right there with them. Almost a carbon copy of the Brandon-Lethbridge game, these two traded goals until the very end but Cash Koch put home the game winning marker to keep the Americans alive.
3 Stars:
Tri-City: Cash Koch- 1 Goal, 2 Assists
Tri-City: Jackson Smith- 1 Goal, 1 Assist
Tri-City: Lukas Matecha- 40 Saves
Vancouver Giants 3, Spokane Chiefs 2
Spokane Leads Series 2-1
Wednesday was full of comebacks, as Spokane was able to scrape their way out of a 2-0 deficit midway through the second period, but Vancouver added one more almost 20 minutes later to collect their first win of the postseason.
3 Stars:
Vancouver: Ethan Mittelstadt- 3 Assists
Spokane: Asanali Sarkenov- 2 Assists
Vancouver: Connor Levis- 1 Goal (GWG)
Tri-City Americans 6, Victoria Royals 4
Victoria Leads Series 3-1
Another team fighting for their playoff lives, Tri-City was ahead nearly the entire game- but Victoria was right there with them. Almost a carbon copy of the Brandon-Lethbridge game, these two traded goals until the very end but Cash Koch put home the game winning marker to keep the Americans alive.
3 Stars:
Tri-City: Cash Koch- 1 Goal, 2 Assists
Tri-City: Jackson Smith- 1 Goal, 1 Assist
Tri-City: Lukas Matecha- 40 Saves
Portland Winterhawks 5, Prince George Cougars 4 (2OT)
Portland Leads Series 3-1
Portland had the chance to play hero once again, and they did just that. The Cougars took a late lead, but the Winterhawks tied things up with less than 40 seconds to go in regulation off a scramble in front. Overtime solved nothing, but a second one did; Portland punches their third win of the series, and has a chance to take it on the road.
3 Stars:
Prince George: Carson Carels- 1 Goal
Portland: Diego Buttazzoni- 1 Goal, 1 Assist
Portland: Kyle Chyzowski- 1 Goal, 3 Assists
Thursday, April 3 Games:Spokane @ Vancouver
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