Game Day Hub: Round 1, Game 6
April 6, 2025 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release
The No. 5 seed Portland Winterhawks hold a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven series with the No. 4 seed Prince George Cougars. Following three games at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the CN Centre now plays host for this first-round matchup in the 2025 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien. The Winterhawks can advance to the second round with a win.
Discipline will be a key factor on Sunday as special teams are amplified in the playoffs. Entering Game 6, the Winterhawks have eight power play goals on 25 opportunities, including at least one goal on the man advantage in all five games. Meanwhile, the Cougars are 3-for-14, but all three goals came in Game 4.
Puck Drop: 6:00 P.M.
Venue: CN Centre
Uniforms: Black
Listen Live: Winterhawks Radio Network and on the Winterhawks App
Watch Live: Victory+
Follow Along: Box Score
Game Notes: Winterhawks Game Notes
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Series Schedule:
Game 1 - Portland (6) at Prince George (7) OT
Game 2 - Portland (5) at Prince George (2)
Game 3 - Prince George (3) at Portland (6)
Game 4 - Prince George (4) at Portland (5) 2OT
Game 5 - Prince George (7) at Portland (2)
Game 6 - Sunday, April 6 - @PG - 6:00 p.m.
*Game 7 - Monday, April 7 - @PG - 7:00 p.m.
*If Necessary
Last time out
With their season on the line, the Cougars played inspired hockey in Game 5, winning 7-2 at the VMC. For the first time in the series, Prince George scored the game's first goal when Riley Heidt netted his second of the playoffs. Matteo Danis, the leading scorer for the Cougars, made it 2-0 six minutes later. Overage defenseman Ryder Thompson got Portland on the board with 3:56 remaining in the opening frame. Koehn Ziemmer extended the Prince George lead to 3-1 in the second period, the eventual game-winning goal.
Following the 18-minute intermission, the Cougars struck just 12 seconds into the 3rd period on Danis' second of the evening, dampening the come-back efforts of the Hawks. Alex Weiermair converted on a power-play opportunity to get Portland back within two, but when Terik Parascak forced a turnover at the blue line and scored on the ensuing breakaway 1:35 later, the lead was too much to overcome. Borya Valis and Ziemmer added a goal before the final horn sounded.
Tyson Jugnauth stands alone
Tyson Jugnauth's 13 points (2G, 11A) through five games in the series against Prince George is the most points by a defenseman in any playoff series in franchise history. Per team historian Andy Kemper, the previous record belonged to Jeff Finley, who scored 12 points (1G, 11A) in 1986-1987 vs. Kamloops in eight games (best-of-nine series).
* A stat correction will be made by the WHL, updating Jugnauth's total to reflect 13. The secondary assist on Alex Weiermair's goal at 6:24 of the 3rd period will be changed from Diego Buttazzoni to Jugnauth.
WHL Humanitarian of the Year
The Western Hockey League announced Wednesday that Portland Winterhawks second-year forward Kyle McDonough was one of three Western Conference Finalists for the Humanitarian of the Year award.
Read more here!
WHL Western Conference All Stars
The Western Hockey League announced Tuesday the 2024-2025 Conference All-Star teams, naming Winterhawks forward Kyle Chyzowski and defenseman Tyson Jugnauth to the Western Conference First All-Star Team.
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Western Hockey League Stories from April 6, 2025
- Oil Kings and Raiders Need Game Seven - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Tips Net Five Powerplay Goals, Take Game Five 7-4 - Everett Silvertips
- Tips Even Series with Crucial 6-2 Win in Kent - Everett Silvertips
- Oil Kings Get Chance to Close out Series with Raiders at Home - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Chiefs Eliminate Giants in Five Games - Vancouver Giants
- Spokane Chiefs Advance to Round Two of 2025 WHL Playoffs Presented by Nutrien - Spokane Chiefs
- T-Birds Face Must Win Game Six - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Chiefs Put up 9 Goals, Advance to Round 2 in Style - Spokane Chiefs
- Game Day Hub: Round 1, Game 6 - Portland Winterhawks
- Cougars vs. Winterhawks: Game 6 Preview: WHL Playoffs - Prince George Cougars
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