Quick Answer: The Everett Silvertips swept the Portland Winterhawks 4-0 in Round 1 of the 2026 WHL Playoffs, outscoring them 25-5. They now face the Kelowna Rockets in Round 2, with Games 1 and 2 at Angel of the Winds Arena on Friday, April 10, and Saturday, April 11.
The Everett Silvertips swept the Portland Winterhawks out of the playoffs like they weren’t even there. Twenty-five goals. Four games. Zero losses. Now, the best team in the Western Hockey League all season is heading into Round 2 of the 2026 WHL Playoffs — and the party starts right here at Angel of the Winds Arena this Friday night.
If you haven’t been paying attention to this Silvertips squad all year, now is the time to start. This is a team playing playoff hockey at a different level than everyone else.
The First Round Was a Statement
Let’s recap what the Silvertips just did to Portland, because it deserves a moment.
Game 1: 8-1. Eight goals. They didn’t ease into the playoffs — they detonated.
Game 2: 4-1. Four unanswered goals after falling behind.
Game 3: 7-0. Seven different skaters scored. A shutout. A statement.
Game 4: Down 2-0 in Portland, they scored six unanswered to win 6-3. Forward Zackary Shantz finished with a three-point night (1G, 2A) to seal the comeback.
Final tally: 25 goals for, 5 against in a four-game sweep. The Silvertips outscored Portland by twenty goals. That’s not a series — that’s a message to the rest of the Western Conference. This was the Silvertips’ first playoff series sweep since 2016 — and fittingly, it was also against the Winterhawks back then.
What Makes the 2026 Silvertips So Dangerous
The Silvertips entered the postseason as the regular season’s top team — winners of the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as the WHL’s best record-holder — and the third-highest scoring team in the league. They’ve got a balanced attack that makes them nearly impossible to key on.
Matias Vanhanen and Julius Miettinen have been the offensive engines in the playoffs so far, combining for 13 points (7 goals) through four games. Both players carried their strong regular-season form right into the postseason without missing a beat.
Carter Bear is the name to watch in this series. Against Kelowna in the regular season, Bear was flat-out dominant — 8 points on 5 goals and 3 assists in just four games. If that production carries over, the Rockets are going to have a very hard time containing him.
The Silvertips don’t just have one line. Seven different goal-scorers in Game 3 tells you everything you need to know about how this team is built.
The Opponent: Kelowna Rockets Bring Playoff Motivation
The Kelowna Rockets are not a team to sleep on. They swept the Kamloops Blazers in Round 1 and they’ll be playing with extra motivation as the host of the 2026 Memorial Cup. For Kelowna, every game this spring is a warmup for the biggest junior hockey tournament on the continent being played in their own building.
The Rockets’ top weapons are Vojtec Cihar and Tij Iginla, who combined for 11 goals and 20 points in the first round against Kamloops. Both players got hot at exactly the right time.
But here’s the thing: the Silvertips dominated Kelowna during the regular season. Everett went 4-0 against the Rockets in their regular-season matchups. Kelowna knows they’re facing an uphill battle — their own local press is acknowledging as much.
2026 WHL Playoffs Round 2 Schedule: Silvertips vs. Rockets
This is your window to be part of something special in person. The series opens in Everett with back-to-back home games:
- Game 1 — Friday, April 10 at Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett
- Game 2 — Saturday, April 11 at Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett
- Game 3 — Tuesday, April 14 at Prospera Place, Kelowna
- Game 4 — Wednesday, April 15 at Prospera Place, Kelowna
- Game 5 (if needed) — Friday, April 17
- Game 6 (if needed) — Sunday, April 19
- Game 7 (if needed) — Tuesday, April 21
Angel of the Winds Arena playoff hockey is some of the best live sports entertainment in the Pacific Northwest. The building gets loud, the energy is real, and the Silvertips have given their fans every reason to pack the house this weekend. Tickets are available at everettsilvertips.com and through the Angel of the Winds Arena box office.
Why This Run Feels Different
Being the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy winner means you had the best record in the WHL all season. That’s not luck — that’s consistency across 68 regular-season games. And then to open the playoffs by outscoring your opponent 25-5 in a sweep? That’s dominance.
The Silvertips have the offensive depth to grind teams down, the defensive structure to protect leads, and the playoff experience to handle adversity. That 6-3 comeback in Game 4 at Portland — down 2-0 on the road — is the mentality of a team that believes it’s going to win.
Kelowna has the motivation of the Memorial Cup and two dangerous forwards who can change games. This should be a quality second round. But right now, the Silvertips are the hottest team in the WHL, and they’re playing their next two games at home.
Get to the arena Friday night.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Silvertips 2026 Playoff Run
When do the Silvertips play next in the 2026 WHL Playoffs?
Game 1 of the second round against the Kelowna Rockets is Friday, April 10, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, WA. Game 2 follows on Saturday, April 11, at the same venue.
How did the Silvertips do in Round 1 of the 2026 WHL Playoffs?
The Silvertips swept the Portland Winterhawks 4-0, winning 8-1, 4-1, 7-0, and 6-3. They scored 25 goals while allowing only 5 across the series.
Who are the Silvertips’ key players to watch in Round 2?
Matias Vanhanen and Julius Miettinen lead the offense with 6 points each in the playoffs. Carter Bear had 8 points (5G, 3A) against Kelowna in the regular season and is a major threat in this series.
Who are the Kelowna Rockets and why are they dangerous?
Kelowna is the 2026 Memorial Cup host and swept Kamloops in Round 1. Their key forwards Vojtec Cihar and Tij Iginla combined for 11 goals in the first round. They’re motivated and battle-tested.
What is the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy?
The Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy is awarded to the WHL team with the best regular-season record. The Silvertips won it for the 2025-26 season, making them the No. 1 overall seed in the WHL Playoffs.
Where can I buy Everett Silvertips playoff tickets?
Tickets are available at everettsilvertips.com (Playoff Ticket Central section) and through the Angel of the Winds Arena box office at angelofthewindsarena.com, or by calling 1-425-322-2600.
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