Silvertips Round 2 Snapshot: The Everett Silvertips beat the Kelowna Rockets 4–1 in the 2026 WHL Western Conference Semifinals. Everett won Games 1 and 2 at home, won Game 3 in Kelowna 4–1 on Tuesday, April 14, lost Game 4 in overtime, then clinched the series in Game 5 in Everett.
Last refreshed: October 27, 2026 (Pacific) — the April 2026 series is complete; this page is now a record of the series.
Silvertips Won Games 1 & 2, Then Closed Out Kelowna in Five Games
The Everett Silvertips advanced to the WHL Western Conference Finals by beating Kelowna in five games. After a dominant first-round sweep of the Portland Winterhawks — outscoring them 25–5 across four games — the Tips carried that momentum into Round 2, winning back-to-back games against the Kelowna Rockets at Angel of the Winds Arena.
Game 1 ended 4–1 on Friday, April 10. Game 2 went 4–2 on Saturday, April 11 in a physical contest that grabbed headlines beyond the scoreboard. The series then shifted to Prospera Place in Kelowna for Games 3 and 4.
Game 1 Recap: Busch Leads the Way in 4–1 Win
Shea Busch opened the scoring on the power play in the first period, and the Silvertips never looked back. Matias Vanhanen scored the eventual game-winner in the second period and added an empty-net goal in the third — two goals on the night — with Julius Miettinen also finding the net on a breakaway. Everett went 5-for-5 on the penalty kill — a theme that would define the series.
Kelowna’s only goal came from Ty Halaburda, who beat goaltender Anders Miller just 23 seconds into the second period. Rockets goalie Harrison Boettiger made 36 saves but couldn’t overcome Everett’s efficiency at both ends of the ice.
Game 2 Recap: Miller Shines, Special Teams Win the Night in 4–2 Win
Saturday’s game was louder and more intense. Kelowna came out flying in the first period, outshooting Everett 20–11, but the Silvertips went 6-for-6 on the penalty kill and Anders Miller made 37 saves on 39 shots to seal the win.
Goals from Zackary Shantz, Jaxsin Vaughan, Carter Bear (power play), and Julius Miettinen (power play) gave Everett the 4–2 final. Kelowna’s Hayden Paupanekis and Owen Folstrom scored for the Rockets.
The game was stopped midway through the third period when Kelowna forward Ty Halaburda was stretchered off the ice after a hit by Everett’s Jaxsin Vaughan. Halaburda remained conscious and was transported to Providence Regional Medical Center. On April 13, the Rockets confirmed he had been released from the hospital, would travel home to Victoria, and would be out for the remainder of the season as he recovered from a head injury.
Game 3 Recap: Silvertips Win 4–1 in Kelowna, Take 3–0 Lead
Game 3 was played at Prospera Place in Kelowna on Tuesday, April 14 at 7:05 PM PDT. Everett won 4–1: after a scoreless first period in which Kelowna outshot Everett 16–4, Matias Vanhanen and Brek Liske scored 24 seconds apart in the second, Julius Miettinen made it 3–0, Tomas Poletin scored a power-play goal for Kelowna in the third, and Lukas Kaplan sealed it with a penalty-shot goal. Anders Miller stopped 36 of 37 shots. Game 4 followed Wednesday, April 15, also in Kelowna.
Kelowna had yet to beat Everett in any game that season — the Silvertips went 4–0–0–0 against the Rockets in the regular season, though three of those four wins were decided by a single goal, and the Rockets had swept the Kamloops Blazers in the first round.
Everett’s offensive drivers in the series were Carter Bear (Detroit Red Wings prospect), Julius Miettinen (Seattle Kraken prospect), Landon DuPont, and Matias Vanhanen, and the penalty kill was near-perfect across Round 2 under coach Steve Hamilton.
Kelowna avoided the sweep in Game 4, rallying from 3–0 down to win 4–3 in overtime on April 15. Game 5 was therefore needed at Angel of the Winds Arena on Friday, April 17, and Everett won it 2–1 in overtime — Landon DuPont scored 40 seconds into overtime after Carter Bear’s shorthanded opener — to clinch the series 4–1 and advance to the Western Conference Championship for the first time since 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions: Silvertips Round 2
What was the Silvertips’ playoff record through Round 2?
Everett swept Portland 4–0 in Round 1 and beat Kelowna 4–1 in Round 2, advancing to the Western Conference Finals.
When is Silvertips Game 3?
Game 3 was Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 7:05 PM PDT at Prospera Place in Kelowna, BC. Everett won 4–1. It streamed free on Victory+.
What happened to Ty Halaburda?
Kelowna forward Ty Halaburda was stretchered off the ice during Game 2 after a hit by Everett’s Jaxsin Vaughan. He was transported to Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett and reported alert and conscious. On April 13, the Rockets said he had been released, would return home to Victoria, and would miss the remainder of the season with a head injury.
How can I watch Silvertips away games?
Games 3 and 4 in Kelowna were available to stream free on Victory+ (victoryplus.com) and on 104.7 The Lizard radio.
Who are the top scorers for the Silvertips in the playoffs?
Julius Miettinen led the Silvertips in playoff scoring. Matias Vanhanen, Carter Bear, Landon DuPont, and Shea Busch were also significant contributors.
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