Welcome to this edition of THN's 2025 WHL Playoffs Daily Recap. This recurring article will provide summaries of action from the WHL post-season throughout the playoffs. With one series in the books, here is a look at six of the remaining seven.
Lethbridge Hurricanes 5, Brandon Wheat Kings 2
Lethbridge Wins Series 4-1
After a valiant effort in game four, Brandon ran out of steam come game five. They did get out to a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes, but Lethbridge would respond with four unanswered goals to take the victory and move on to round two where they will meet either Medicine Hat or Calgary.
3 Stars:
Lethbridge: Brayden Yager- 1 Goal, 1 Assist
Lethbridge: Jordan Gustafson- 1 Goal, 1 Assist
Lethbridge: Logan McCutcheon- 1 Goal, 1 Assist
Prince Albert Raiders 4, Edmonton Oil Kings 2
Edmonton Leads Series 3-1
Not looking to go down quietly, the Raiders brought the noise and the fight to game five. Two first period goals by Prince Albert gave them a cushion, and while Edmonton clawed back twice, the Raiders had an answer. Goaltender Max Hildebrand made two or three save of the night candidates along the way, and Prince Albert forces game six.
3 Stars:
Prince Albert: Lukas Dragicevic- 2 Goals, 1 Assist
Prince Albert: Max Hildebrand- 36 Saves
Prince Albert: Aiden Oiring- 1 Goal, 2 Assists
Medicine Hat Tigers 3, Swift Current Broncos 2
Medicine Hat Wins Series 4-1
Game five was a youth movement in Medicine Hat, as Markus Ruck and Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll both tallied their first WHL playoff goals to put the Tigers up by a pair. Swift Current did tie it up, but Ryder Ritchie got another one less than a minute later to send Medicine Hat to round two where they will face either Lethbridge or Edmonton.
3 Stars:
Medicine Hat: Liam Ruck- 2 Assists
Medicine Hat: Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll- 1 Goal
Medicine Hat: Gavin McKenna- 2 Assists
Victoria Royals 7, Victoria Royals 0
Victoria Wins Series 4-1
After giving up six goals in game four, the Royals got their revenge and then some as Victoria went into the first intermission up 3-0. From there, it remained all Royals as Tri-City seemed to not have an answer to the home side's offense. Victoria easily skates to a round one victory, and become the first Western conference team to do so.
3 Stars:
Victoria: Keaton Verhoeff- 3 Assists
Victoria: Kenta Isogai- 1 Goal, 2 Assists
Victoria: Johnny Hicks- 35 Save Shutout
Prince George Cougars 7, Portland Winterhawks 2
Portland Leads Series 3-2
Similar to the Victoria blowout, this one was all Prince George for most of the game. Ryder Thompson brought Portland into it with a late first period marker, but the Cougars were one step ahead and Matteo Danis put things out of reach just 12 seconds into the final frame. Alex Weiermair would make the game 4-2 about six minutes later, but Prince George add three more to take a clutch game five.
3 Stars:
Prince George: Koehn Ziemmer- 2 Goals
Prince George: Matteo Danis- 2 Goals
Prince George: Joshua Ravensbergen- 38 Saves
Everett Silvertips 6, Seattle Thunderbirds 2
Series Tied 2-2
A much closer series than most may have predicted it to be, the Silvertips and Thunderbirds have traded the first four games back and forth. After Simon Lovsin opened the scoring for Seattle, Everett exploded for five unanswered goals to silence the home crowd. Nathan Pilling would add a second, but Rylan Pearce answered right back and these two teams head back to Everett ...
