WHL Morning Skate: April 14
NEED TO KNOW
-Prince George’s Joshua Ravensbergen recorded back-to-back shutouts
-With a six-point night, Moose Jaw’s Denton Mateychuk was one point away from tying the WHL record for points in a playoff game by a defenceman
-Red Deer looks to even its series against Saskatoon in Game 2 on Sunday
RESULTS
Kelowna 0, Prince George 5
PG leads 2-0
Joshua Ravensbergen is the first goaltender in Prince George Cougars history to post-back-to-back playoff shutouts with a 16-save performance in front of a sold-out CN Centre crowd. Minnesota Wild prospect Riley Heidt scored the game-winning goal less than two minutes into the opening frame and added a shorthanded assist two minutes later. Prince George looks to take a stranglehold on the series as it shifts south to Kelowna on Tuesday.
THREE STARS
1- Joshua Ravensbergen, PG
-16/16 saves
-Second WHL Playoffs shutout
2- Riley Heidt, PG
-1G, 1A, +2
3- Koehn Ziemmer, PG
-2A, +2
Swift Current 2, Moose Jaw 7
Tied 1-1
The Warriors exploded for a six-goal second period, taming the Broncos in Game 2. Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Brayden Yager scored a hat trick in under five minutes, registering a goal on the powerplay, shorthanded and at even strength and adding a pair of assists. Captain Denton Mateychuk netted the game-winner and racked up five assists.
THREE STARS
1- Denton Mateychuk, MJ
-1G, 5A, +4
2- Brayden Yager, MJ
-3G, 2A, +4
3- Matthew Savoie, MJ
-2A
Everett 1, Portland 6
POR leads 2-0
Portland stands as one of two clubs still undefeated in the 2024 postseason. Kyle Chyzowski netted the game winner and had a second consecutive multi-goal game. Seattle Kraken prospect Tyson Jugnauth also quietly has three goals, two assists and a league high +6 rating in the second round. The series heads north to Everett, where the Silvertips are in dire need of a win to stay in the series.
THREE STARS
1- Nate Danielson, POR
-1G, 2A, +2
2- Kyle Chyzowski, POR
-2G, +1
3- Jan Spunar, POR
-32/33 saves
-.969 save percentage
TOP PERFORMER
Moose Jaw defenceman Denton Mateychuk’s goal, five assists and a +4 rating helped the Warriors battle back to tie their conference semifinal series against Swift Current.
After the visiting Broncos jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first frame, Mateychuk sprung his teammates Ethan Semeniuk and Brayden Yager for a shorthanded two-on-one opportunity, which Yager buried to tie the game.
Just minutes later, Mateychuk would snag another secondary assist as the Warriors cycled the puck on the powerplay with Yager banging home another goal.
The Columbus Blue Jackets prospect continued the second-period outburst by flying off the bench and into the offensive zone to fire his first goal of the night past Reid Dyck.
Mateychuk would add another trio of assists to cap off a monstrous run that saw Moose Jaw score six times in under 12 minutes.
The Warriors Captain has three goals and 11 assists through six playoff games, leading all WHL skaters in points with 14 and sitting third with a +9 rating.
ON TAP