Game 4, Round 1 Preview: Vees at Thunderbirds
Published on April 1, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Penticton Vees News Release
The Penticton Vees take on the Seattle Thunderbirds in Game 4 of their first round series. A win tonight would advance Penticton to the second round as they enter with a 3-0 series lead. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05PM from Kent, WA.
Catch all the action on Victory+, Summit 800 AM and Summit 98.5 Summerland.
In their first ever WHL playoff game the Vees used a strong penalty kill and solid play from their goaltender AJ Reyelts to guide them to a 3-2 OT victory.
In Game 2, the Vees were dominant from start to finish on their way to a 4-1 win and 2-0 series lead. Jacob Kvasnicka and Tristan Petersen each had a goal and an assist in the Game 2 victory.
Last night, the two teams went back-and-forth for much of the night. Penticton would strike twice in the third and hang on to a 4-3 victory. Brady Birnie (2) opened the scoring while Jacob Kvasnicka (3), Ryden Evers (2) and Ethan Weber (1) also found the back of the net. AJ Reyelts made 29 saves in the victory.
The Vees penalty kill has gone 12/12 in their three games in the post-season.
Vees Player to Watch: F Brady Birnie: Birnie has opened the scoring in two of the three games in this first round series and has three points in three games.
Fast Fact: 14 different Vees have registered a point in the three playoff games so far while seven players already have multiple points.
2025-26 Playoff Scoring Leaders:
Vees:
Jacob Kvasnicka- 5 points (3g, 2a)
Ryden Evers- 4 points (2g, 2a)
Brady Birnie- 3 points (2g, 1a)
Tristan Petersen- 3 points (1g, 2a)
Nolan Stevenson- 3 points (0g, 3a)
Thunderbirds
Cameron Schmidt- 3 points (2g, 1a)
Coster Dunn- 2 points (1g, 1a)
Noah Kosick- 2 points (1g, 1a)
Western Hockey League Stories from April 1, 2026
- Game Preview: Round 1, Game 4 at SPO - Prince George Cougars
- Game 4, Round 1 Preview: Vees at Thunderbirds - Penticton Vees
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- Game Preview: Round 1 - Game 4 AT Pats - Medicine Hat Tigers
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- Game Preview: Round 1, Game 4 at SPO - Prince George Cougars
- Ziprick Reflects on his Growth as a Member of the Moose Jaw Warriors - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Chiefs Host Cougars for Do-Or-Die Game 4 Wednesday Night - Spokane Chiefs
- Oil Kings Looking to Tie Series with Blades Back Up - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Game Day Hub: Round 1, Game 3 vs Everett - Portland Winterhawks
- T-Birds Come up Short in Game Three - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Silvertips Blank Winterhawks 7-0 in Game Three - Everett Silvertips
- Vees Take 3-0 Series Lead on the Road - Penticton Vees
- Winterhawks Drop Game 3 to Silvertips - Portland Winterhawks
- Oil Kings Drop First Game in Saskatoon to Blades - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Tigers Retake Series Lead with 8-2 Win over Pats - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Tigers Take Game Three, Pats Look to Rebound Tomorrow - Regina Pats
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