WHL Morning Skate: May 14, 2025

NEED TO KNOW

– Six different Tigers found the back of the net for a blowout win with star Gavin McKenna out of the lineup

– NHL Draft-eligible Medicine Hat defenceman Bryce Pickford has scored in six consecutive games

– Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Harrison Meneghin made 28 saves for his third shutout of the 2025 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien

– Spokane has only been shut out twice in the 2024-25 season

– The Chiefs look to level the series as they return to the ice for Game 4 on Wednesday, May 14

TOP PERFORMER- MAY 13

Rust? What rust? Cayden Lindstrom has had an immediate impact on the 2025 WHL Championship Series after spending more than a year working his way back from injury. The 2024 fourth-overall pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets opened the scoring for a second-straight game and he converted a centering pass from Captain Oasiz Wiesblatt just past the midway mark of the first period. His second goal of the postseason would stand as the game-winner. Before the period was up, he carried the puck over the blue line and lofted a backhand shot off the pads of the Spokane netminder to create a long rebound for Hunter St. Martin to finish off. “I’m feeling great,” Lindstrom said postgame. “Feels good to help my team, it’s all I’ve been wanting to do all year, is just coming in to help.” The Chetwynd, B.C. product has done just that, quickly racking up two goals and two assists for four points in his first three games back.

RESULTS

Medicine Hat 6, Spokane 0

Medicine Hat leads 2-1

For a third straight game, Medicine Hat was first on the board. But the cheers were markedly quieter with a small, but mighty section of Tigers fans making their presence known among the crowd of nearly 8,000 fans at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Despite seeing Gavin McKenna scratched late with an undisclosed injury, the Tigers leaned on their depth as they struck twice in each period. Lindstrom lit the lamp with a one-timer from the slot before Florida Panthers pick Hunter St. Martin hammered a one-timer home to close out the first period. Kadon McCann finished off Utah Hockey Club prospect Veeti Vaisanen’s wraparound attempt just over 90 seconds into the second period, while rookie Liam Ruck hit paydirt to finish Dawson Cowan’s night with the Tigers outshooting the Chiefs 32-13 after one period. Calgary Flames second-rounder Andrew Basha and 2025 NHL Draft-eligible blueliner Bryce Pickford closed out the scoring and Harrison Meneghin completed his third postseason shutout with a 28-save effort. The win marks the Tampa Bay Lightning prospect’s busiest shutout of the 2024-25 season.

THREE STARS

1- Cayden Lindstrom, MH

– 1G-1A

2- Harrison Meneghin

– 28-save shutout

3- Andrew Basha, MH

– 1G

ON TAP

Game 4 is set for Wednesday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m. PST.

TSN will carry the game for viewers in Canada, while those outside of Canada can stream the match on Victory+.