WHL Morning Skate: April 11, 2025
NEED TO KNOW
– Jackson Unger posted a 33-save shutout as Lethbridge dished Calgary its first loss of the 2025 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien
– The WHL unveiled the six finalists for the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually to the WHL Player of the Year
– The Everett Silvertips launch their second-round series against the Portland Winterhawks on Friday
TOP PERFORMER- APRIL 10
Jackson Unger already has a WHL Championship under his belt, but the 20-year-old is still hitting new milestones in his fourth trip to the WHL Playoffs. Thursday’s win marked his first postseason shutout, despite having six career clean sheets to his name in the regular season. Unger denied all four Hitmen powerplay attempts and stood tall with several dazzling stops- including a partial breakaway shot from San Jose Sharks prospect Carson Wetsch and a dangling backhander from Ottawa Senators pick Carter Yakemchuk. Unger’s astounding win is Lethbridge’s first playoff shutout since April 13, 2018, when Logan Flodell turned aside 32 shots in Game 5 of the second round to eliminate the Brandon Wheat Kings.
RESULTS
Lethbridge (4), Calgary (0)
Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series was full of firsts for the Calgary Hitmen- but not the ones they wanted. The Lethbridge Hurricanes struck early and often to seize the series lead, serving up Calgary’s first loss of the postseason after sweeping Saskatoon in Round One. After Hitmen netminder Daniel Hauser came far out of his net to try to sweep the puck away from Miguel Marques on a breakaway, the Hitmen were unable to regain control of the puck and Kooper Gizowski batted it into the yawning cage to draw first blood. Gizowski’s game-winner 4:25 into the first period also marked the first time Calgary has trailed a game in 2025 WHL Playoffs. Alternate Captains Brayden Edwards and Logan Wormald added some insurance with a goal and assist apiece, while Captain Noah Chadwick (Toronto Maple Leafs) capped off the scoring with his second of the playoffs. Nashville Predators prospect Miguel Marques also snagged a pair of primary assists to tie Winnipeg Jets prospect Brayden Yager for the team scoring lead with eight points (2G-6A).
THREE STARS
1- Jackson Unger, LET
– 33-save shutout
2- Logan Wormald, LET
– 1G-1A
3- Brayden Edwards, LET
– 1G-1A
ON TAP
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