WHL Portland Winterhawks

Hawks Win Western Conference, Advance to WHL Championship with 2OT Win

May 7, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


Prince George, B.C. - Josh Davies scored the game-winning goal 5:40 into the second overtime period as the Winterhawks eliminated the Prince George Cougars with a 2-1 victory in Game 6 of the Western Conference Championship.

Portland wins the series 4-2 and advances to the WHL Championship, which will be a best-of-seven series against either the Saskatoon Blades or the Moose Jaw Warriors, who are currently competing for the Eastern Conference Championship.

Davies ended the three-hour, 45-minute contest with a wrist shot from the right circle on a rush chance set up by Josh Mori. Playing for the first time since a cameo appearance in Game 1, the Florida Panthers prospect wrapped up Portland's 12th win in 14 games this postseason with the goal.

The majority of Game 6 was dominated by goaltending, with Portland's Jan Špunar (48/49 W) and Prince George's Josh Ravensbergen (36/38 L) putting on an absolute clinic between the pipes.

Only two goals beat the two netminders - first, Nate Danielson opened the scoring on a breakaway bid with one minute left in the second period. The goal was initially waved off and play continued through the rest of the frame, but video review revealed that the puck completely crossed the goal line to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead.

Needing a goal to keep hope alive in the CN Centre, Prince George rallied in the third and knotted things up on a Borya Valis strike 5:45 in, setting the stage for a tense finish and, ultimately, overtime. Both teams came close in the first overtime, but neither found twine until Davies' heroics early in the fifth period.

The WHL Championship schedule will be announced following Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Championship, set for Tuesday night at 5:00 P.M. PT.

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