Winterhawks advance to Second Round of 2024 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien
The Winterhawks are movin’ on.
For a third straight year, Portland will advance to the Western Conference Semifinal in the WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien.
The U.S. Division champions clinched a second-round berth by beating the Victoria Royals in four games (4-3, 5-1, 6-5, 4-1)
The Winterhawks completed the sweep with a 4-1 win on Wednesday, April 3.
Portland forward Josh Zakreski scored twice in the first period of Game 4 to seal the victory.
Edmonton Oilers prospect James Stefan led all skaters in the series with five goals (including a Game 3 hat trick), three assists and a +5 rating.
Second-year netminder Jan Spunar held Portland in with a 4-0-0-0 record, a 2.63 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage.
18-year-old Royals defenceman Justin Kipkie, an Arizona Coyotes prospect, led Victoria with a goal and five assists in four outings.
This is the second time Portland and Victoria have met in the postseason, with the Winterhawks defeating the Royals in five games en route to a trip to the WHL Championship Series in 2014.
The sweep also marks the first time the Winterhawks won blanked an opponent in the playoffs since defeating Prince George 4-0 in the First Round of the 2022 playoffs.