WHL Playoffs Top Performer – May 7, 2024
One of the greatest best-of-seven series in WHL history is officially in the books.
And, it was only fitting that the player who got the Moose Jaw Warriors to Game 7 is the same one who sent them to the 2024 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien.
That player is Lynden Lakovic.
After keeping the Warriors’ playoff hopes alive with his overtime marker in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Championship on May 5, Lakovic further cemented his legacy in Moose Jaw by scoring the game-winning goal during overtime in Game 7 as well.
The series-clinching goal came 36 seconds into the first overtime period.
Driving deep into the Blades zone, the 17-year-old threw the puck to the front of the net where it redirected off a Saskatoon defender’s skate and into the back of the net.
THE @MJWARRIORS ARE HEADING TO THE #WHLCHAMPIONSHIP SERIES FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2006!#WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingtheFuture pic.twitter.com/roZCmAXdmO
— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 8, 2024
The product of West Kelowna, B.C. now boasts eight points (five goals–three assists) through 16 appearances at the 2024 WHL Playoffs.
Of his five goals, three have been overtime tallies with two coming in the Eastern Conference Championship and one coming in the first round against the Brandon Wheat Kings.
Lakovic now stands atop of all WHL skaters in overtime goals during this year’s postseason. Saskatoon’s Fraser Minten sits second, having scored two OT markers against the Warriors in Games 2 and 5.
With the help of Lakovic’s back-to-back, overtime game-winners, the Moose Jaw Warriors are headed to the WHL Championship Series for the first time since 2006. The club is still looking to capture the first Ed Chynoweth Cup in franchise history.
Moose Jaw will face the Western Conference Champions, the Portland Winterhawks, at the WHL Championship Series. Game 1 is set for Friday, May 10 at 8 p.m. MT in Portland, Ore.