WHL Playoffs Top Performers – May 6, 2024
Their battle was legendary.
Facing non-stop action for over four periods of play, neither Jan Spunar nor Joshua Ravensbergen was willing to give up the game-winning goal in Game 6 of the Western Conference Championship.
Spending almost all of the first two periods in a 0-0 deadlock then most of the third period and the entire first overtime in a 1-1 tie, the mental resilience of the top two goaltenders in the west was in full effect – and it was a sight to behold.
With neither netminder giving an inch, a sold-out crowd at the CN Centre in Prince George, B.C. was treated to one of the best goaltending duels the 2023-24 season had seen.
The two netminders were tested early and often into the game too.
Ravensbergen, the rookie puck stopper for the Cougars, was tasked with stopping a Winterhawks’ two-on-one in the opening minutes of the game.
A 🍔 a day keeps the 🦅away!@PGCougars | #WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingtheFuture pic.twitter.com/dpML59kveu
— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 7, 2024
While, on the other end of the ice, the Czech-born Spunar came up with a sprawling cross-crease stop against the Cougars.
🎶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
Through 80 minutes of play, Spunar and Ravensbergen had combined to make 81 stops on 83 shot attempts.
But every game – no matter how close – must come to an end eventually.
With a goal at the 5:40 mark into the second overtime period, Florida Panthers prospect Josh Davies fired home the game-winning goal to send the Portland Winterhawks to the 2024 WHL Championship Series.
Spunar ended his evening as the second star of the night, making a career-high 48 saves in Portland’s Game 6 triumph. Spunar’s 48-save performance is the most saves recorded in a win at the 2024 WHL Playoffs.
His counterpart Ravensbergen stood tall for the Cougars, swatting aside 36 saves while earning the first star of the game.
As the first team to punch their spot in the 2024 WHL Championships Series, the Winterhawks will now await the winner between the Moose Jaw Warriors and the Saskatoon Blades.
Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Championship between the Warriors and Blades is set for Tuesday, May 7 at 7:00 p.m. MT.
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