WHL Morning Skate: May 2
NEED TO KNOW
– Anaheim Ducks prospect Egor Sidorov snagged his league-leading 13th goal of the postseason to lift the Blades past the Warriors in overtime
– Detroit Red Wings prospect Nate Danielson and Marcus Nguyen have linked up on half of Portland’s goals in the Western Conference Championship- including three goals in Game 4
– The Winterhawks can advance to the WHL Championship for the first time since 2014 with a win on Thursday night
RESULTS
Saskatoon 5, Moose Jaw 4 (OT)
Series tied 2-2
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Brandon Lisowsky’s game-opening tally for Saskatoon marks the fastest goal to start a game in the 2024 WHL Playoffs. Goals from Captain Trevor Wong and Washington Capitals prospect Alexander Suzdalev made it 3-0 in a hurry, but Moose Jaw managed to claw back to force overtime with goals from Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Brayden Yager and Rilen Kovacevic. Ducks prospect Egor Sidorov leveled the series for Saskatoon with a dramatic goal off a turnover in the extra frame and an unforgettable rolling celebration. Sidorov’s 13th goal and fourth game-winner of the postseason leads all WHL skaters in both categories.
THE SHOT🔥
THE CELEBRATION🔥🔥
EGOR SIDOROV COMES UP CLUTCH AGAIN WITH HIS FOURTH GAME-WINNER OF THE #WHLPlayoffs @AnaheimDucks | @BladesHockey | #FeedingTheFuture pic.twitter.com/iG7fQapIfC
— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 2, 2024
THREE STARS
1- Tanner Molendyk, SAS
-1G
2- Brayden Yager, MJ
-2G, 1A, +3
3- Rilen Kovacevic, MJ
-1G
Prince George 2, Portland 5
POR leads 3-1
Portland sported the best home record of any Western Conference team in the regular season for a reason. The Winterhawks overwhelmed the Cougars with 39 shots en route to a 5-2 win, remaining perfect at home in the playoffs and with a chance to advance at the VMC on Thursday night. Detroit Red Wings prospect Nate Danielson and Marcus Nguyen have linked up on seven of Portland’s 14 goals this series. Cougars Captain Hudson Thornton scored twice, but Prince George will need more as they look to extend the Western Conference Championship on Thursday night.
THREE STARS
1- Nate Danielson, POR
-1G, 3A, +3
2- Marcus Nguyen, POR
-2G, 1A, +3
3- Tyson Jugnauth, POR
-2A, +2
TOP PERFORMER
Nate Danielson has been the impact player Mike Johnston was hoping for when he landed the Detroit Red Wings prospect in a blockbuster deal at the WHL Trade Deadline.
Danielson netted a goal and three assists in Game 4, marking three straight games where he’s scored three points or more.
The 6-foot-2, 188-pound centreman prospect kicked off the night with a secondary assist on Captain Gabe Klassen’s powerplay strike in the opening period.
With Portland up 2-1 in the second period and Prince George piling on the shots, Danielson put a pinpoint centering pass on the stick of Marcus Nguyen, who hammered away at the rebound until the puck tickled twine.
The pair would deliver a dagger in the final frame, with Danielson creating a rebound on a two-on-one, snagging his own rebound and keeping the cycle alive for Nguyen to score his second of the night.
Nguyen returned the favour late in the game, earning a secondary assist as Danielson snapped a rebound past Ty Young for the cherry on top of a 5-2 win.
Nate Danielson at the Western Conference Championship: 10 points (1G-9A) in 4 games!
The @DetroitRedWings got a special one.@pdxwinterhawks | #WHLPlayoffs | #LGRW pic.twitter.com/ogVVN1mOkz
— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 2, 2024
Danielson has four goals and 16 assists for 20 points and a +13 rating through 12 contests in the 2024 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien.
ON TAP
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