WHL Morning Skate: April 20
NEED TO KNOW
– Seattle Kraken prospect Jagger Firkus scored a hat trick as the Moose Jaw Warriors eliminated Swift Current in their second-round finale
– Jan Spunar turned in his first shutout of the playoffs to help Portland stay undefeated and advance to the Western Conference Championship
– Washington Capitals prospect Zac Funk netted a hat trick as Prince George clinched a Western Conference Championship berth for the first time since 2007
RESULTS
Kelowna 3, Prince George 6
PG wins 4-1
Kelowna scored two quick goals to take the lead in the second period, but Prince George responded with five straight lamp-lighters to close out the middle frame. Zac Funk came through with his first hat trick of the postseason, while Riley Heidt put up an impressive four points as the Cougars knocked the Rockets out. 2024 NHL Draft-eligible Rockets forward Tij Iginla ended the season with an exciting one-goal, two-assist night as Kelowna fought to extend the series.
THREE STARS
1- Zac Funk, PG
-3G
2- Riley Heidt, PG
-2G, 2A, +1
3- Tij Iginla, Kel
-1G, 2A, +2
Portland 5, Everett 0
POR wins 4-0
Portland left no doubt with a 5-0 win to complete a second-round sweep of the Everett Silvertips. The Winterhawks are the only team that’s undefeated in the WHL postseason. Edmonton Oilers prospect James Stefan’s sixth tally of the postseason would stand as the game-winner, while netminder Jan Spunar posted his first WHL playoff shutout with a 27-save performance. Seattle Kraken defensive prospect Tyson Jugnauth erupted for four goals and four assists in four games, leading all Portland skaters in points in the second round.
THREE STARS
1- Jan Spunar, POR
-27/27 saves
-First 2024 WHL Playoffs shutout
2- Ryder Thompson, POR
-1G, 1A, +2
3- James Stefan, POR
-1G, 1A, +2
Swift Current 2, Moose Jaw 4
MJ wins 4-1
Swift Current struck first, but Moose Jaw star Jagger Firkus came back to score three straight as the Warriors cruised to a 4-2 win. Captain Denton Mateychuk chipped in a pair of assists. Mateychuk and Firkus are now first and second among WHL skaters in postseason point with 19 and 18, respectively. New Jersey Devils prospect Josh Filmon and NHL Utah prospect Conor Geekie scored for Swift Current in a hard-fought loss. The Warriors will compete in the Eastern Conference Championship for the first time since 2012.
THREE STARS
1- Jagger Firkus, MJ
-3G, +1
2- Jackson Unger, MJ
-34/36 saves
-.944 save percentage
3- Reid Dyck, SC
-35/38 saves
-.921 save percentage
TOP PERFORMER
Minnesota Wild prospect Riley Heidt came up big with a two-goal, two-assist performance in Game 5 to eliminate the Kelowna Rockets.
The Cougars alternate captain set up Zac Funk’s first-period powerplay goal to open the scoring at CN Centre.
Heidt did it all himself on an end-to-end tally in the middle frame, wrapping around the Kelowna net, turning and firing his first goal of the night home.
The impressive tally would stand as the series winner.
Heidt would find twine again less than four minutes later, with a crash-bang goal on the Rockets’ doorstep to give the Cougars a 5-2 lead.
Heidt capped off the night by setting up Funk’s hat trick with a crisp powerplay feed.
One of the most common terrors is acrophobia.
You know- the fear of Heidts.#mnwild | @PGCougars | #FeedingTheFuture pic.twitter.com/FmNt1O4xZD
— The WHL (@TheWHL) April 20, 2024
The 5-foot-11, 182-pound forward led all Prince George skaters in the second round with nine points (three goals, six assists) and a +4 rating.
He has three goals and 13 assists for 16 points through nine postseason contests.
ON TAP
The WHL Conference Championships will begin on Friday, April 26.