WHL Morning Skate: May 7

NEED TO KNOW

– Portland eliminated Prince George in Game 6 to advance to the WHL Championship series for the 12th time in franchise history

– The Winterhawks’ double-overtime victory over the Cougars marks the longest game in the 2024 WHL Playoffs

– The Saskatoon Blades and Moose Jaw Warriors will clash in Game 7 on Tuesday night

RESULTS

Portland 2, Prince George 1 (2OT)

POR wins 4-2

Game 6 between Portland and Prince George was played with so much passion and intensity, you’d think it was Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. 2024 NHL Draft-eligible netminder Jan Spunar and buzzworthy rookie Joshua Ravensbergen stole the show with electric performances at both ends of the ice, but Prince George’s best-ever season came to a close with a double-overtime goal scored by Florida Panthers prospect Josh Davies. Detroit Red Wings prospect Nate Danielson netted the game-opening goal, while Borya Valis scored the equalizer for the Cougars to force overtime. Portland now has a chance to chase its fourth Ed Chynoweth Cup.

THREE STARS

1- Joshua Ravensbergen, PG

-36/38 saves

-.947 save percentage

2- Jan Spunar, POR

-48/49 saves

-.979 save percentage

3- Josh Davies, POR

-1G

TOP PERFORMER(S)

After the greatest goaltending battle of the 2024 WHL Playoffs, it doesn’t feel right to pick just one Top Performer.

In a game light on goals, a horde of dazzling saves by WHL Goaltender of the Year nominee Jan Spunar and B.C. Division Second-Team All-Star Joshua Ravensbergen traded showstopping saves to keep the sold-out crowd at the CN Centre roaring until the final, fateful goal.

Ravensbergen made an early statement to deny Davies with the pad on a Portland two-on-one.

A 🍔 a day keeps the 🦅away!@PGCougars | #WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingtheFuture pic.twitter.com/dpML59kveu

— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 7, 2024

Two hundred feet away, Czech import Spunar shut down the Cougars’ attack with a sprawling cross-crease stop.

🎶Feel the rhythm with your hands
(Steal the rhythm while you can)🎶

SPOONMAN!@pdxwinterhawks | #WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingtheFuture pic.twitter.com/mJ3bWyiWhl

— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 7, 2024

The netminders combined to make 84 saves on 87 shots.

Spunar made a career-high 48 saves- the most stops recorded in a win in the 2024 postseason- to be named second star of the night.

Ravensbergen put on a show in the final game of his rookie season, swatting aside 36 shots to earn first star of the game and a final ovation from the Cougars faithful.

ON TAP