WHL Morning Skate: April 12, 2025
NEED TO KNOW
– Jesse Heslop scored his first goal of the 2025 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien to lift Everett to an overtime win against Portland
– Seattle Kraken prospect Tyson Jugnauth scored his third goal of the playoffs to jump into first place in the postseason scoring race with 17 points
– Medicine Hat will open its second-round series against Prince Albert on Saturday night
TOP PERFORMER- APRIL 11
Landon DuPont is back with a vengeance! The WHL Rookie of the Year nominee dished two assists- one on Everett’s first goal and another on the overtime winner- after missing the last three games of the first round. This marks DuPont’s second multi-point playoff game after leading all first-year skaters in scoring through the regular season.
RESULTS
Portland (2), Everett (3)
Everett leads 1-0
The regular season champion Silvertips have pulled off something they’ve been unable to do in their past two trips to the WHL Playoffs- get a series lead against the Portland Winterhawks. It came down to another overtime thriller, but veteran Jesse Heslop came through with his first goal of the postseason to snatch the win for Everett. Seattle Kraken defensive prospect Tyson Jugnauth opened the scoring with his third goal to seize the playoff scoring lead with 17 points in eight tilts. The Portland defensive corps continued to chip in at the other end of the ice with red-hot Philadelphia Flyers pick Carter Sotheran burying his fifth of the playoffs with less than six minutes left in the match to force the extra frame. Nashville Predators pick Austin Roest and Anaheim Ducks prospect Tarin Smith scored in regulation before Heslop’s game-winning tally. Netminders Raiden LeGall (30/32 saves) and Ondrej Stebetak (40/43) both shined as they set the stage for a battle with razor-thin margins.
THREE STARS
1- Jesse Heslop, EVT
– 1G
2- Carter Sotheran, POR
– 1G-1A
3- Austin Roest, EVT
– 1G
ON TAP
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