WHL Playoffs Top Performer: April 15, 2024
Found nightly on the Portland Winterhawks blueline, 18-year-old Carter Sotheran brings a defensive presence like no other. And, while he’s tasked with keeping the pucks out of his own team’s net, the six-foot-three defender has also shown flashes of offensive brilliance during his current WHL Playoffs campaign.
One of those instances took place during Game Three of the second-round series between the Winterhawks and Everett Silvertips on Monday, April 15th.
Trailing the Silvertips 3-0 early in the second period, Sotheran was the driving force that kickstarted an eventual comeback by the Winterhawks. Finding twine with a shot from the slot at 3:14 into the second period, he notched his third goal of the postseason. The blueliner then added a secondary assist off of Gabe Klassen’s second-period tally.
#LetsGoFlyers prospect Carter Sotheran gets the @pdxwinterhawks on the board with his third goal of the 2024 #WHLPlayoffs! pic.twitter.com/Vk4LCnpiOh
— The WHL (@TheWHL) April 16, 2024
However, Sotheran’s shining moment came in the overtime period between the U.S. Division rivals. With less than five minutes remaining in the extra frame, a point shot from Sotheran took a fortunate bounce – off of Silvertips netminder Tyler Palmer’s blocker, then a ricochet off the boards, before banking of Palmer’s back and into the back of the net.
CARTER SOTHERAN GETS THE BOUNCE AND THE @PDXWINTERHAWKS WIN IN WHOA-VERTIME!
@NHLFlyer | #LetsGoFlyers | #WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingtheFuture pic.twitter.com/jP2Ujzoqdg
— The WHL (@TheWHL) April 16, 2024
The game-winning tally was Sotheran’s first overtime goal during the WHL Playoffs.
The product of Sanford, Man. now has nine points (four goals–five assists) through seven appearances at the 2024 WHL Playoffs.
Drafted in the fifth round (135th overall) by the Philadelphia Flyers, Sotheran is one of seven NHL prospects featured on the Winterhawks roster.
Leading their series 3-0, Sotheran and the Winterhawks look to close out Round Two on Friday, April 19th when they take on Everett in Game 4.
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