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Tag: Everett Silvertips

  • WHL Final Heads to Prince Albert: Where, When, and How to Watch the Silvertips on the Road

    WHL Final Heads to Prince Albert: Where, When, and How to Watch the Silvertips on the Road

    Where do the Silvertips play next in the WHL Championship Final? Game 3 of the 2026 WHL Championship Final is Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, with puck drop at 7:30 p.m. MDT — that is 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time for fans watching from Everett. Game 4 follows Wednesday, May 13 at the same venue. Game 5, if needed, is Friday, May 15, also in Prince Albert. The series returns to Angel of the Winds Arena for Games 6 and 7 if necessary, on Sunday, May 17 and Monday, May 18.

    Tied 1-1, the WHL Final goes to Saskatchewan: What it means for Everett’s run

    The 2026 WHL Championship Final has its perfect setup. Two No. 1 seeds, splitting the home games at Angel of the Winds Arena, going to Prince Albert tied at a game apiece. Now the series gets harder.

    For the next three games — Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday — the Silvertips do not get the building behind them. They get a 6,200-seat barn called the Art Hauser Centre, sitting in a hockey town of about 35,000 people that lives and dies on this team. Prince Albert was the Eastern Conference’s top regular-season team for a reason. The Raiders have lost just once at home in the 2026 playoffs.

    The good news for Tips fans: Everett earned the right to go on the road tied. The 6-2 Game 2 win at Angel of the Winds Arena on Saturday — three first-period goals, a four-point night from Julius Miettinen, a power-play goal from Jesse Heslop with one second left — flipped the series from “Prince Albert is in control” back to “Everett is the team to beat.” That matters. Going 0-2 to Saskatchewan would have been a borderline emergency. Going 1-1 is the script everyone expected before the series opened.

    The Art Hauser Centre, briefly explained for Tips fans who have never been

    The Art Hauser Centre is the smallest venue still hosting a WHL playoff series in 2026. Capacity for hockey runs about 2,800 seated plus standing-room — and it is loud the way smaller buildings always are. The ice surface is the standard 200-by-85, but the rink sits closer to the crowd than at Angel of the Winds, and the Raiders’ building has a real hum to it on big nights. This will be a big nights kind of building.

    For Everett’s group, this is not an unfamiliar environment. The Tips spent all spring grinding through Memorial Cup-quality road buildings — Kamloops, Kelowna, the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton — and they are 8-0 on the road in the 2026 playoffs entering Game 3. That stat has earned the team the benefit of the doubt about whether they can handle the noise.

    What changes for Everett with the schedule shift

    The biggest practical change is the time zone. Mountain Daylight Time runs an hour ahead of Pacific in May, so a 7:30 p.m. local puck drop in Prince Albert is 6:30 p.m. for fans in Everett. That is friendlier than it sounds. You can be home from work, eat dinner, watch the whole game, and still be in bed by 9:30 PT.

    The second change is the format. In Games 3, 4, and 5, the Raiders get last line change. In a series that is already turning on matchups — DuPont and Bear against Pickering and Reschny, Miettinen-Cripps in the circle — that is a meaningful adjustment. Head coach Dennis Williams will need to lean on Carter Bear’s line to take the heaviest minutes against Prince Albert’s top defensemen and trust the Tips’ depth to win the lower-leverage shifts.

    The third change is the goalie call. Everett went with AJ Reyelts in net for Game 2 and got rewarded for it. With Anders Miller’s regular-season .948 save percentage in his back pocket, the Tips have one of the best goaltending tandems in junior hockey. Reyelts earned the Game 2 start by playing well in the Western Conference Final’s two overtime games and winning the night. Whether he gets Game 3 or Miller comes back is the storyline to watch in the team’s first-night skate Tuesday morning at the Art Hauser Centre.

    What changes for Prince Albert

    The Raiders have to win at home. They came into this series as the WHL Eastern Conference’s top seed, beating Medicine Hat in seven games in the East Final, and they have not lost a home game in this entire run. If they protect the Hauser, the series gets very long for Everett very quickly.

    What worried Prince Albert in Game 2 was the absence of two-way pressure from their top forwards. Owen Pickering, the Raiders captain and Detroit Red Wings prospect, finished without a point. Cole Reschny, the Calgary Flames first-rounder, was held off the scoresheet. Aiden Oiring, who terrorized the Tips’ defensive zone in Game 1, was a much smaller factor in Game 2. If those three play to their pedigree, Prince Albert wins this series. If they continue what we saw in Game 2, Everett is going to take this in five or six.

    What is at stake in each game

    Game 3 is for who wants the series first. The team that wins Game 3 in a tied 1-1 best-of-seven goes on to win the series 78 percent of the time historically. That is the leverage point.

    Game 4 is for survival or scoreboard pressure. The team that drops Game 3 cannot afford to drop Game 4 — that 3-1 series deficit ends roughly nine of every 10 series in the home team’s favor.

    Game 5 is for the door. Friday May 15 — if needed — is Prince Albert’s last home game in the 2026 season if the Tips have done their job in Games 3 and 4. It is also where the Raiders end their season at home if Everett can grab one of the first two and hold serve.

    Game 6 and Game 7 are scheduled for Angel of the Winds Arena Sunday, May 17 and Monday, May 18. Both are sold out as of Saturday night for the home opener segment of those tickets — anything left after the AOTW resale window closes goes to Ticketmaster’s verified resale.

    How to watch from Everett

    TSN carries the WHL Championship Final in Canada. Victory+ streams it in the United States — that is the official option for fans on the south side of the border who do not have a TSN subscription. Ticketmaster handles tickets for the home games at Angel of the Winds Arena.

    If you are watching at home, set the DVR for 6:30 p.m. PT both Tuesday and Wednesday. If you are watching at a bar in Everett, start with The Anchor Pub & Restaurant, the Independent Beer Bar at the arena, or McMenamins on Hewitt — they are all reliably running WHL Final coverage on the big screens during this run.

    The fan-voice take on the road trip

    Here is the truth about this team going to Prince Albert tied: this is the run we earned. A 117-point regular season that was the best mark in the Western Conference in 12 years. Sweeping Kelowna in Round 2. Sweeping Penticton in the Western Conference Final. Twelve playoff wins on a 12-1 record. That entire body of work was about earning the right to play games like this — on the road, against another No. 1 seed, with a championship in front of you.

    Most franchises never get a Tuesday like the one Everett is about to play. Cherish it. Pull up Victory+. Have a pint. Yell at the TV. The Silvertips have not won the Ed Chynoweth Cup in 19 years, and the path to ending that drought runs straight through Prince Albert this week.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When is Game 3 of the 2026 WHL Championship Final?
    Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m. MDT, which is 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time.

    How many home games does Prince Albert get in this series?
    Three. Games 3, 4, and 5 are all at the Art Hauser Centre. Games 6 and 7, if needed, return to Angel of the Winds Arena.

    How can I watch the WHL Final from Everett?
    Victory+ streams the games in the United States. TSN broadcasts in Canada. Both options are official.

    What is the series record between Everett and Prince Albert?
    Tied 1-1 after Game 2. Prince Albert won Game 1 4-2 at Angel of the Winds Arena. Everett won Game 2 6-2 at Angel of the Winds Arena.

    Has Everett been good on the road in the 2026 playoffs?
    Yes. The Silvertips entered Game 3 at 8-0 on the road in the 2026 WHL Playoffs.

    When was the last time the Silvertips won the Ed Chynoweth Cup?
    2007. Everett has not won the WHL Championship in 19 years entering the 2026 Final.

    Where is the Art Hauser Centre?
    Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Capacity is approximately 2,800. The venue has been the Raiders’ home rink since 1996.

    What time will Game 4 be played?
    Wednesday, May 13 at the Art Hauser Centre. Game time is set at the same 7:30 p.m. MDT puck drop.

  • Tips Even the Series in Style: Silvertips Crush Raiders 6-2 to Tie WHL Final 1-1

    Tips Even the Series in Style: Silvertips Crush Raiders 6-2 to Tie WHL Final 1-1

    What was the final score of WHL Final Game 2 on May 9, 2026? The Everett Silvertips beat the Prince Albert Raiders 6-2 at Angel of the Winds Arena on Saturday, May 9, 2026, tying the best-of-seven WHL Championship Series 1-1. Three first-period goals — from Carter Bear at 3:20, Kayd Ruedig at 5:31, and Rylan Gould later in the frame — staked Everett to a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes, and the Tips never gave it back. The series now shifts to Prince Albert’s Art Hauser Centre for Games 3, 4, and 5.

    Bounce-back Saturday: The Silvertips needed this one and they got it three different ways

    Friday night Everett looked nervous. Saturday night Everett looked like Everett.

    The Silvertips evened the 2026 WHL Championship Series with a 6-2 win over the Prince Albert Raiders at Angel of the Winds Arena on May 9, and the way they did it should reset the tone of the entire series. They scored three goals before the first period was over. They put a power-play goal on the scoreboard with one second left to drive the dagger home. And they got production from the people you would have hoped to see step up — Carter Bear, Julius Miettinen, and a 2OT Game 2 hero from Round 3 in Rylan Gould — plus a Game 2 goal from Kayd Ruedig, the defenseman acquired in trade specifically for moments like this.

    Series tied 1-1. Off to Saskatchewan. The Tips can breathe.

    The first period that swung the series back

    Carter Bear opened the scoring at 3:20 of the first by corralling a bouncing loose puck in the high slot and beating Prince Albert goaltender Michal Orsulak with a low shot. Two minutes and eleven seconds later, Nolan Chastko won an offensive-zone face-off, the puck slid to Kayd Ruedig in the left circle, and Ruedig’s shot beat a screened Orsulak to make it 2-0 at 5:31. By the time the first horn sounded, Everett had a 3-0 lead — Rylan Gould adding the third on a wide-open net after a play by 17-year-old phenom defenseman Landon DuPont.

    Three goals in the first period. After the way Game 1 went — losing the second period 3-0 and giving up the eventual game-winner from Justice Christensen on a play that felt unnecessary — that opening 20 minutes was the entire emotional reset the building needed. Game 2 stopped being about whether the Tips could match Prince Albert’s intensity and started being about whether the Raiders could climb back into a series where Everett was the one dictating terms.

    Prince Albert pushed back, Prince Albert ran out of room

    Brock Cripps got Prince Albert on the board with a power-play goal in the second period, and Justice Christensen — yes, the same Christensen who potted the Game 1 winner — added another with 9:46 to play in the third to make it 3-2 and briefly suggest a real comeback was on. It was the kind of stretch that, in Game 1, ended with the Raiders pulling away. Saturday night it ended with Everett locking it down.

    Julius Miettinen banged in an empty-netter for his 12th playoff goal — and his fourth point of the night — to push the lead to 5-2, and Jesse Heslop closed the scoring with a power-play goal with one second left in regulation for the 6-2 final. That last goal does not change anything on the scoreboard, but in the WHL it absolutely changes things in the locker room. Insurance goals at the end of WHL playoff games are a message. Everett was sending one.

    The fan-voice take

    Look, after Friday night a lot of us were doing math we didn’t want to do. Two-on-the-road for a series that was supposed to belong to Everett. Anders Miller’s historic regular-season .948 save percentage suddenly looking less like a shield and more like a ceiling. The crowd quiet by the third period. That was a real worry.

    What changed Saturday is exactly what should have changed Saturday. Carter Bear played like a Detroit Red Wings second-round pick should play. Landon DuPont made a defenseman-to-defenseman play to set up Gould that was the kind of thing that gets you drafted first overall. Julius Miettinen had four points and looked like the closer this team has been all season. And Kayd Ruedig — the trade-deadline addition from Kamloops — was on the scoresheet on a goal that was the kind of off-the-face-off play this team was supposed to win all spring.

    The series is now 1-1 and it’s going to Prince Albert. That is not a panic situation. That is the situation everyone expected before puck drop on Friday. Everett got back to being Everett, and they did it on a night when they had to.

    What to watch in Game 3

    The Game 3 question is whether Everett’s defensive structure holds in a barn that isn’t theirs. Art Hauser Centre is a small, loud, traditional WHL building, and the Raiders win there with a forecheck that is built to grind teams into mistakes. If the Tips can defend their own zone the way they did in Game 2, they will win Game 3. If they revert to chasing the puck around their own end the way they did in the second period of Game 1, they won’t.

    Where the series goes from here

    Game 3 is Tuesday, May 12 at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert, with puck drop at 7:30 p.m. MDT (6:30 p.m. PT). Game 4 is Wednesday, May 13 at the same venue. Game 5, if needed, is Friday, May 15, also at Art Hauser. The series then returns to Angel of the Winds Arena for Games 6 and 7 if necessary — Sunday, May 17 and Monday, May 18.

    The whole series is being broadcast on TSN in Canada and streamed on Victory+ in the United States. If you have any other plans Tuesday night, cancel them.

    Final lines and what they mean

    Carter Bear got the goal the entire arena needed. Julius Miettinen finished with four points, including the empty-net dagger. Rylan Gould scored on the wide-open net after the DuPont feed in the first. Landon DuPont continues to look like a 17-year-old who is going to play in the NHL very soon. Kayd Ruedig got on the board in his first WHL Championship Final appearance. Jesse Heslop’s late power-play goal felt like a closing argument.

    For Prince Albert, the worry list is real. Brock Cripps and Justice Christensen put up the only goals — Christensen now has goals in both games of this series — but the Raiders did not get the same kind of two-way pressure from their top line that decided Game 1.

    This is the kind of series these two No. 1 seeds were supposed to play. One game each, going home tied, with both teams now needing to prove they can win on the road. Everett goes back to Saskatchewan with a healthy Bear, a 17-year-old Norris-arc-in-the-making in DuPont, and a 12-1 playoff record that includes back-to-back sweeps of Kelowna and Penticton. The Raiders go back with home ice, a goaltender in Orsulak who has played to a series-leading clip in spurts, and a power play that has scored on both nights.

    Tuesday night decides whether this is going to be a series or a fight. Bring it.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What was the final score of WHL Final Game 2?
    Everett Silvertips 6, Prince Albert Raiders 2. The series is now tied 1-1 in the best-of-seven 2026 WHL Championship Final.

    Who scored for the Silvertips in Game 2?
    Carter Bear opened the scoring at 3:20 of the first period. Kayd Ruedig made it 2-0 at 5:31 of the first. Rylan Gould scored later in the first period to make it 3-0 after one. Julius Miettinen had four points including an empty-net goal. Jesse Heslop scored a power-play goal with one second left in regulation.

    Who scored for Prince Albert?
    Brock Cripps scored a second-period power-play goal. Justice Christensen scored with 9:46 left in the third — Christensen has goals in both games of the series.

    When and where is Game 3?
    Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m. MDT, which is 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time.

    How can I watch the WHL Championship Final?
    TSN carries the games in Canada. Victory+ streams the games in the United States.

    What is the rest of the series schedule?
    Game 4: Wednesday, May 13 at Art Hauser Centre. Game 5 (if needed): Friday, May 15 at Art Hauser Centre. Game 6 (if needed): Sunday, May 17 at Angel of the Winds Arena. Game 7 (if needed): Monday, May 18 at Angel of the Winds Arena.

    What is Everett’s playoff record now?
    12-1 in the 2026 WHL Playoffs after sweeping Kelowna in Round 2 and Penticton in the Western Conference Final.

  • Tomorrow Is Everett’s Biggest Sports Friday in Years: WHL Final Game 1 at 7 PM and an AquaSox Noon Doubleheader Both Happen May 8

    Tomorrow Is Everett’s Biggest Sports Friday in Years: WHL Final Game 1 at 7 PM and an AquaSox Noon Doubleheader Both Happen May 8

    Q: What’s happening in Everett sports on Friday, May 8, 2026?
    A: Two major sporting events are happening in Everett on Friday, May 8 — the Everett Silvertips host the Prince Albert Raiders in WHL Championship Final Game 1 at Angel of the Winds Arena at 7:00 PM PT, and the Everett AquaSox host the Hillsboro Hops in a daytime doubleheader at Funko Field starting at 12:05 PM. It is the most action-packed single sports day the city has seen in years.

    Put this one on the calendar with a red marker. On Friday, May 8, 2026, Everett is hosting two major sporting events at the same time — a WHL Championship Final Game 1 and an AquaSox doubleheader — less than two miles apart. If you have ever wondered whether Everett is a real sports city, tomorrow answers the question.

    Here is everything you need to know to make the most of it.

    Event 1: AquaSox vs. Hillsboro Hops — Noon Doubleheader at Funko Field

    • When: Friday, May 8 — first game starts at 12:05 PM PT
    • Where: Funko Field, 3900 Broadway, Everett
    • Tickets: milb.com/everett or box office day-of

    The AquaSox play a rare midday doubleheader to open the weekend portion of their 6-game home series against the Hillsboro Hops (Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate). Two regulation games starting at noon means you get your baseball in the afternoon, leaving your evening completely open for whatever is happening seven blocks over at Angel of the Winds.

    The Frogs came into this homestand hot — they swept their first two games of the series and the roster is playing confident baseball. The prospect names driving attention right now: Felnin Celesten (back-to-back NWL Player of the Week, team-leading 26 hits), Luke Stevenson (Mariners No. 8 prospect, .500 OBP in April), and Brandon Eike (6 HR on the season). Noon baseball on a sunny May Friday in Everett with this group is exactly what minor league baseball is supposed to feel like.

    The doubleheader format means games are shorter — typically 7 innings each. Plan for 2.5 to 3 hours total. A noon start should wrap by 3:00-3:30 PM, giving you four hours before the WHL Final face-off.

    Event 2: Silvertips vs. Prince Albert Raiders — WHL Final Game 1 at Angel of the Winds Arena

    • When: Friday, May 8 — face-off at 7:00 PM PT
    • Where: Angel of the Winds Arena, 2000 Hewitt Ave, Everett
    • TV/Stream: TSN (Canada) / Victory+ (US streaming)
    • Tickets: Available at everettsilvertips.com/playoffs — check the Ticket+Drink combo offer

    This is the one. After a franchise-best regular season (54 wins, 111 points, two straight Scotty Munro Trophies), a sweep of Portland, a five-game win over Kelowna, and a sweep of the Penticton Vees in the Western Conference Final, the Everett Silvertips are in the WHL Championship Final for the first time since 2018. Their opponent, the Prince Albert Raiders, eliminated the defending WHL champion Medicine Hat Tigers to get here.

    The Silvertips have never won the Ed Chynoweth Cup. This roster — built around 16-year-old Landon DuPont (leading WHL defensemen in playoff scoring), goaltender Anders Miller (12-0-1, .936 save percentage), Matias Vanhanen (19 playoff points), and Julius Miettinen (18 playoff points) — is the best chance this franchise has ever had to change that. Angel of the Winds Arena at Game 1 of a WHL Final is not a normal Friday night hockey crowd. It is an atmosphere.

    The Ticket+Drink combo offer is available through the Silvertips playoff ticket page — good way to get both games at a slight discount if you are making a night of it.

    The Fan’s Guide to Doing Both

    This is completely achievable. Here is one way to structure the day:

    • 11:30 AM — Arrive at Funko Field. Grab a hot dog, find your seat, enjoy the pregame atmosphere.
    • 12:05 PM — First game of the doubleheader begins.
    • ~2:00 PM — Second game of the doubleheader underway.
    • ~3:30 PM — Baseball wraps. Head downtown. Eat something. The area around Angel of the Winds Arena has food options along Hewitt and in the transit hub.
    • 5:30-6:00 PM — Doors open at AOTW. This is a WHL Final — do not show up late.
    • 7:00 PM — Puck drops. The Silvertips and Raiders start playing for the Ed Chynoweth Cup.
    • ~10:00 PM — Game ends. You either watched an Everett win or you are already thinking about Game 2 on Saturday.

    Funko Field is at 3900 Broadway. Angel of the Winds Arena is at 2000 Hewitt Ave. The drive between them is under five minutes; it is walkable in about 25 minutes if you want to stretch after the baseball. Parking is available near both venues. If you are driving between the two, the afternoon gap gives you plenty of time — this is not a sprint.

    Why This Day Matters

    There are moments when a city’s sports calendar aligns in a way that only happens once in a while. Everett is not a huge city, but tomorrow it has two professional-level sporting events happening simultaneously in venues seven blocks apart. The AquaSox are a legitimate prospect showcase for one of baseball’s most interesting farm systems. The Silvertips are playing in the WHL Championship Final with a roster capable of winning it.

    And on Saturday, the AquaSox have Star Wars Night at 7:05 PM and the Silvertips play WHL Final Game 2 at 6:00 PM — so the weekend has two more major events lined up right behind Friday’s doubleheader.

    Whatever you choose to do tomorrow: buy the tickets, get to the venue on time, and remember this stretch of Everett sports for a while. It does not come around every year.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What time does the AquaSox doubleheader start on May 8?

    The AquaSox vs. Hillsboro Hops doubleheader begins at 12:05 PM PT on Friday, May 8 at Funko Field. Both games are typically 7 innings in doubleheader format.

    What time does WHL Final Game 1 start on May 8?

    WHL Championship Final Game 1 starts at 7:00 PM PT on Friday, May 8 at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett.

    How far apart are Funko Field and Angel of the Winds Arena?

    About 1.5 miles — a 5-minute drive or a 25-minute walk. The afternoon gap between the doubleheader and the WHL Final face-off gives fans plenty of time to move between venues.

    Where can I get WHL Final Game 1 tickets?

    Tickets for the Silvertips WHL Championship Final are available at everettsilvertips.com/playoffs and through Ticketmaster. A Ticket+Drink combo offer is available through the Silvertips playoff ticket page.

    What other events are happening in Everett sports this weekend?

    Saturday, May 9 features AquaSox Star Wars Night at 7:05 PM at Funko Field (limited-edition jerseys, character meet-and-greet, postgame fireworks) AND Silvertips WHL Final Game 2 at 6:00 PM at Angel of the Winds Arena. The full sports weekend runs Thursday through Sunday.

    Related Everett Sports Coverage

  • 5 Keys to the 2026 WHL Championship Final: How the Silvertips Win the Ed Chynoweth Cup Starting Tomorrow Night

    5 Keys to the 2026 WHL Championship Final: How the Silvertips Win the Ed Chynoweth Cup Starting Tomorrow Night

    Q: Can the Everett Silvertips finally win the WHL Championship?
    A: The 2026 Silvertips are the most talented team the franchise has ever sent into a WHL Final. With a historically elite goaltender, two first-round defensemen, and a forecheck that doesn’t let you breathe, they have every tool to close out Prince Albert in this series. Game 1 is Friday, May 8 at 7:00 PM PT at Angel of the Winds Arena.

    The Everett Silvertips have been to the WHL Championship Final three times. In 2004, they came close. In 2018, they came close again. Both times, the Ed Chynoweth Cup went somewhere else.

    Tomorrow night, they get a third shot — and this time, the roster has no excuses. The 2026 Everett Silvertips swept Portland in Round 1, beat Kelowna in five in Round 2, and swept the Penticton Vees in four games in the Western Conference Final, finishing the regular season with a league-best 54 wins and 111 points — their second consecutive Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as the WHL’s best team. They are 12-1 in the playoffs heading into the WHL Championship Series. Their goaltender has been the most statistically dominant postseason goalie in WHL history by at least one measure.

    Their opponent, the Prince Albert Raiders, got here by eliminating the defending WHL champion Medicine Hat Tigers in a wild six-game series — winning the clincher 7-6 in hostile territory. They have two teenagers quarterarting their defense who are playing like veterans. They have a power play that fires at the worst possible times. They are not here by accident.

    This is the matchup. Game 1 is Friday, May 8 at 7:00 PM PT at Angel of the Winds Arena. The series follows a 2-3-2 format, with Games 1 and 2 in Everett, Games 3-5 in Prince Albert, and Games 6 and 7 (if needed) back home. Here are the five things that will decide whether the Ed Chynoweth Cup finally comes to Everett.

    1. Landon DuPont Has to Be the Best Player on the Ice

    Let’s start with the big one. Landon DuPont is 16 years old and already widely projected as a potential top-five pick — possibly No. 1 overall — in the 2027 NHL Draft. He had 17 points in 13 playoff games heading into the Finals, leading all WHL defensemen in postseason scoring through the Conference Finals. He is the engine of Everett’s power play, distributing from the blue line with the reads of a player ten years older.

    On the other side, Daxon Rudolph has been the story of the WHL playoffs — 23 points (9 goals, 14 assists) in 15 games, leading the entire WHL in postseason scoring as a 17-year-old defenseman. He was named WHL Player of the Month for April and quarterbacked the Raiders’ power play through their entire run against Medicine Hat. Two elite teenage defensemen, playing the biggest games of their lives. Whoever wins that battle wins the series.

    The edge goes to DuPont. He plays with composure that defies his age, and in the Penticton series, he was the one who consistently solved defensive zone problems before they became crises. But Rudolph is no afterthought — and if Prince Albert wins two games in Everett, his name will be part of the reason.

    2. Anders Miller Is Not Just Good — He’s Historic

    If you want one reason to feel genuinely confident about Everett’s chances, look at the guy in goal. Anders Miller, a mid-season acquisition, is carrying one of the most statistically dominant postseason runs in WHL history. Through the playoff rounds leading into the Finals, he went 12-0-1 with a 1.79 GAA, a .936 save percentage, and one shutout — ranking among the WHL playoff leaders in wins, GAA, save percentage, and shutouts simultaneously.

    No goaltender who has played nine or more games in a single WHL playoff has ever posted a higher save percentage than Miller did through the conference finals, per QuantHockey. That is the sentence coach Steve Hamilton gets to walk into this building with on Friday night.

    Prince Albert’s Michal Orsulak is fine — he made the saves he needed to make in a wild six-game series that sometimes produced 13 combined goals in a game. He is not in Miller’s statistical neighborhood right now. For the Silvertips, goaltending is the one position where they have a significant advantage entering this series, and that advantage can cover a lot of ground.

    3. The Power Play Battle Could Decide It in Four-Minute Swings

    Both teams run dangerous power plays. Everett’s man advantage runs through DuPont at the half-wall, with Matias Vanhanen (19 playoff points, the WHL’s scoring leader among Western Conference teams through the conference finals), Julius Miettinen (18 playoff points), Carter Bear, and Rylan Gould rotating around him. Gould has four power-play goals in these playoffs. When everything is clicking, this unit is one of the most dangerous man advantages in recent WHL playoff history.

    Prince Albert answers with Rudolph quarterbacking a unit that includes 16-year-old rookie Brock Cripps — who had three goals and 10 assists in 11 playoff games with a plus-8 rating — plus Braeden Cootes, who scored his sixth playoff goal in the clincher against Medicine Hat. The Raiders’ top power-play unit has been converting at a high rate all postseason.

    Discipline matters enormously here. Everett showed one exploitable tendency in the conference finals: the Silvertips allowed three empty-netter goals when opponents pulled their goalie late. If Prince Albert finds themselves trailing by one late in a game, they have the composure to make it interesting. Both teams need to avoid taking bad penalties early — power plays in tight WHL Final games can redirect an entire momentum shift.

    4. Can Prince Albert’s Young D Handle Everett’s Forecheck?

    Everett’s forecheck is the thing that opponents have struggled with all season. Bear, Miettinen, and Vanhanen are not finesse players — they are physical and relentless on pucks, and they generate sustained offensive zone time that wears defenses down. The Silvertips create turnovers in the offensive zone regularly, and once they have zone time, they cycle with patience until the right opportunity opens up for DuPont or one of their high-skill forwards.

    Rudolph’s offensive instincts mean he can turn a defensive-zone retrieval into a scoring chance with a single pass — giving the Raiders a quick-exit option that neutralizes sustained pressure better than most teams their age. Cripps alongside him means there’s always a second option out of the zone. But the Silvertips have faced experienced forechecks all playoffs and have only lost once in 13 games. Getting outworked in the corners isn’t something Everett’s opponents have been able to do consistently.

    In a long series, Everett’s forecheck may grind the Raiders’ young D into mistakes late in games. In Everett, in front of 8,000 fans at Angel of the Winds Arena, that forecheck pressure is going to feel different than anything Prince Albert has experienced this playoffs.

    5. The Weight of History — And Why This Time Is Different

    Everett has been here before, and that is either the motivating chip or the weight that breaks a team. In 2004 and 2018, the Silvertips reached the WHL Championship Final and came away without the trophy. That scar shapes the narrative heading into this series. The Raiders, meanwhile, have won the title twice — 1985 and 2019 — and they know what it takes to close.

    But this Silvertips group has something the 2004 and 2018 teams didn’t: a head coach who has been here before. Steve Hamilton, named WHL Coach of the Year this season, served as an associate coach on the 2013-14 Edmonton Oil Kings team that won the Memorial Cup. He understands high-leverage moments. He has managed this roster through adversity — including a blown 3-0 lead in Game 4 of the Kelowna series that required a third-period comeback — without the wheels coming off. Two Scotty Munro Trophies in two years says something about how this organization approaches the regular season. It is time to find out if that translates to the Final.

    The honest assessment from outside the green-and-silver glasses: Everett is the better team. Home ice, elite goaltending, the deepest offensive roster in the series, and a coaching staff that has been building toward this moment. Prince Albert is capable of stealing games — they eliminated the defending champions — but they need Orsulak to be considerably sharper than he was in a high-event Medicine Hat series, and they need Rudolph to keep performing at the level that has made him the most talked-about teenager in the WHL this spring.

    Prediction: Everett Silvertips in 5. The Silvertips are simply too deep, too well-coached, and too experienced in high-leverage games to let this one slip away. Get to Angel of the Winds Arena tomorrow night. This is what Everett hockey has been building toward.

    Game 1 Details

    • When: Friday, May 8 at 7:00 PM PT
    • Where: Angel of the Winds Arena, 2000 Hewitt Ave, Everett, WA
    • TV: TSN (Canada) / Victory+ (streaming)
    • Tickets: Available at everettsilvertips.com/playoffs
    • Series format: 2-3-2 (Games 1-2 in Everett; Games 3-5 in Prince Albert; Games 6-7 in Everett if needed)

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What time does WHL Final Game 1 start?

    Game 1 of the 2026 WHL Championship Series starts at 7:00 PM PT on Friday, May 8 at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett.

    Where can I watch the WHL Final if I can’t attend?

    Games are broadcast on TSN in Canada and streamed on Victory+ in the United States. Check everettsilvertips.com for the latest broadcast info.

    Have the Silvertips ever won the WHL Championship?

    No. This is Everett’s third WHL Championship Final appearance — they appeared in 2004 and 2018 without winning. This is the first time the Silvertips have faced the Prince Albert Raiders for the Ed Chynoweth Cup.

    Who are the key players to watch for Everett?

    Landon DuPont (17 pts in 13 playoff games, potential 2027 #1 NHL draft pick), Matias Vanhanen (19 playoff pts), Julius Miettinen (18 playoff pts), Carter Bear (13 assists through conference finals), and goaltender Anders Miller (12-0-1, .936 SV%, 1.79 GAA) are the names to know.

    Who are the key players for Prince Albert?

    Daxon Rudolph (23 pts in 15 playoff games, WHL playoff scoring leader) and Brock Cripps (3G-10A in 11 games, plus-8) form a precociously talented defensive pair. Braeden Cootes is the key forward. Goaltender Michal Orsulak has made big saves in big moments all playoffs.

    What is the WHL Final series format?

    The 2026 WHL Championship Series is best-of-seven with a 2-3-2 format. Games 1 and 2 are in Everett, Games 3-5 are in Prince Albert, and Games 6 and 7 (if needed) return to Everett.

    Does the WHL Championship winner go to the Memorial Cup?

    Yes. The winner of the 2026 WHL Championship advances to the Memorial Cup, hosted in Kelowna, B.C., from May 22 to May 31.

    Related Everett Sports Coverage

  • AquaSox Are Rolling: 2-0 on the Hillsboro Homestand With Four Games Left at Funko Field This Weekend

    AquaSox Are Rolling: 2-0 on the Hillsboro Homestand With Four Games Left at Funko Field This Weekend

    Q: What AquaSox games are left in the Hillsboro Hops homestand?
    Four games remain at Funko Field: Thursday May 7 (7:05 PM), Friday May 8 (7:05 PM), Saturday May 9 (7:05 PM), and Sunday May 10 (1:05 PM). The AquaSox lead the series 2-0 after wins of 8-6 Tuesday and 10-0 Wednesday.

    The Everett AquaSox have been doing something this week that Funko Field fans are going to want to show up and watch. Through two games of the six-game home series against the Hillsboro Hops, the Frogs are 2-0, have outscored their guests 18-6, and have shown off the full toolkit: a stolen base game Tuesday, a shutout by a future major league starter Wednesday, two home runs in two nights from different guys, and Felnin Celesten going absolutely nuclear from the left side of the plate.

    Four games remain. Hillsboro is 11-18. The AquaSox are chasing first place in the NWL first half. This is the moment.

    The Remaining Schedule

    Thursday, May 7 — 7:05 PM PT at Funko Field
    Friday, May 8 — 7:05 PM PT at Funko Field
    Saturday, May 9 — 7:05 PM PT at Funko Field
    Sunday, May 10 — 1:05 PM PT at Funko Field (series finale)

    Tickets at aquasox.com. Funko Field is at 3802 Broadway in Everett.

    Three Reasons the Next Four Games Matter

    1. The First-Half Race Is Still On
    The AquaSox are now 17-14 in the NWL first half, in third place behind the Eugene Emeralds (22-6). That’s a 7.5-game gap with meaningful games still on the board. Sweeping Hillsboro — or going 4-0 — won’t close that gap entirely, but it closes it. Four wins against a team this far below .500 is exactly the kind of run that creates momentum. The Frogs play like this for four more games and suddenly the second half of May has a different feel.

    2. Felnin Celesten Is Must-Watch Baseball Right Now
    The back-to-back NWL Player of the Week went 3-for-5 again Wednesday to go along with 2 RBI. He is now hitting .295 on the season with 26 hits and 18 runs scored — both team leads. He is the best hitter in the Northwest League right now, and he plays every night at a park 10 minutes from downtown Everett. Come watch him.

    3. The Power Surge Is Real
    Luke Stevenson hit a two-run homer Wednesday. Carter Dorighi hit a three-run homer. Brandon Eike has six on the season. Curtis Washington Jr. launched one Tuesday. The AquaSox lineup has found its power, and a Hillsboro pitching staff that has given up runs all season is not going to stop it. Expect balls to leave Funko Field this weekend.

    Friday Night: A Uniquely Everett Problem

    Friday, May 8 presents a genuinely impossible decision for Everett sports fans. The AquaSox play at Funko Field at 7:05 PM. The Silvertips host the Prince Albert Raiders in WHL Championship Final Game 1 at Angel of the Winds Arena at 7:00 PM. These venues are two miles apart. Both events are meaningful. Both are worth attending.

    There is no right answer. Pick the one that speaks to you most. Or get to Angel of the Winds early, catch the first period of the Silvertips game, then slip over to Funko Field for the later innings. Everett has never had this problem before. Enjoy it.

    Who to Watch This Weekend

    Beyond Celesten, keep an eye on Luke Stevenson — the Mariners’ No. 8 prospect just had his best offensive night of 2026. Watch how pitchers approach him now that he has shown the ability to take a two-run shot to right-center. Also: Brock Moore out of the bullpen. The NWL Bullpen Award winner has been automatic in high-leverage spots, and the Frogs will need him to keep delivering if the rotation is working through shorter outings in the back half of this series.

    The homestand wraps Sunday at 1:05 PM. If you go to one game this weekend, go Sunday — matinee baseball at a community ballpark on a spring afternoon, with a team that is genuinely good right now. That’s as Everett as it gets.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the AquaSox home schedule for the Hillsboro series?

    Thursday May 7 at 7:05 PM, Friday May 8 at 7:05 PM, Saturday May 9 at 7:05 PM, and Sunday May 10 at 1:05 PM — all at Funko Field in Everett.

    What is the AquaSox record in the 2026 Northwest League first half?

    After Wednesday’s 10-0 win, the AquaSox are 17-14, in third place in the NWL first half, 7.5 games behind the first-place Eugene Emeralds (22-6).

    Who is the hottest hitter on the AquaSox right now?

    Felnin Celesten. The back-to-back NWL Player of the Week is batting .295 with 26 hits and 18 runs scored on the season, and went 3-for-5 with 2 RBI on Wednesday.

    Is there a conflict between the AquaSox and Silvertips on Friday May 8?

    Yes. AquaSox play at Funko Field at 7:05 PM; Silvertips host WHL Championship Final Game 1 at Angel of the Winds Arena at 7:00 PM. Both venues are about two miles apart in Everett. Tickets for both are available through their respective box offices.

  • How to Watch the Silvertips WHL Championship Final: TSN, Victory+, Game Times, and Tickets

    How to Watch the Silvertips WHL Championship Final: TSN, Victory+, Game Times, and Tickets

    Q: How can I watch the Everett Silvertips in the 2026 WHL Championship Final?
    Games 1 and 2 at Angel of the Winds Arena (May 8 at 7:00 PM PDT and May 9 at 6:00 PM PDT) are available in person via Ticketmaster. All games are broadcast live on TSN in Canada and streamed globally for free on Victory+. Games 3 and 4 in Prince Albert (May 12–13) are streaming-only for most Everett fans.

    The Everett Silvertips are in the WHL Championship Final for the first time since 2018 — and this time, the broadcast setup means every fan in the world can watch for free. Here is your complete guide to catching Games 1 and 2 at home or in the arena this Friday and Saturday, and tuning in for the road games in Prince Albert when the series shifts east.

    The Full Schedule

    Game 1: Friday, May 8 — 7:00 PM PDT — Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett
    Game 2: Saturday, May 9 — 6:00 PM PDT — Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett
    Game 3: Tuesday, May 12 — Art Hauser Centre, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
    Game 4: Wednesday, May 13 — Art Hauser Centre, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
    Game 5 (if needed): Friday, May 16 — Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett
    Game 6 (if needed): Sunday, May 18 — Art Hauser Centre, Prince Albert
    Game 7 (if needed): Tuesday, May 20 — Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett

    How to Watch on TV (Canada)

    TSN carries the full 2026 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien in Canada, alongside RDS for French-language coverage. Every game in the series will be telecast live. If you’re a Canadian fan or know someone in Canada, the TSN stream via TSN Direct is the cleanest broadcast option with the full pre-game and intermission coverage.

    How to Stream for Free (Victory+)

    This is the big news for Everett fans who won’t be at Angel of the Winds Arena in person: Victory+ is streaming every game of the 2026 WHL Championship Series globally, for free. No subscription required. No paywall. Every game — including the road games in Prince Albert — is available anywhere in the world on the Victory+ platform.

    Victory+ is the CHL’s official streaming partner. You can find the stream at victoryplusapp.com or through the Victory+ app on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire. Just search “WHL Championship” once Game 1 goes live at 7:00 PM PDT Friday.

    The Broadcast Team

    The telecast features Peter Loubardias handling play-by-play duties, joined by longtime WHL analyst Kelly Remple providing color commentary, and Cami Kepke — an award-winning sports reporter — working the rinkside. It’s a polished broadcast team for a championship-caliber series.

    Tickets for Games 1 and 2 at Angel of the Winds

    Games 1 and 2 are at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster and through the Silvertips box office at silvertips.com. This is the first WHL Championship Final in Everett since 2018, and the arena will be loud. If you’ve been waiting for the right playoff game to attend in person, this is it.

    A note for Friday night: the Everett AquaSox are also playing at Funko Field at 7:05 PM against the Hillsboro Hops. Everett has two simultaneous playoff and championship-level events happening Friday night — two different venues, two different sports, both with something real on the line. Plan your night accordingly.

    What the Silvertips Bring Into This Series

    The Silvertips enter the Final with a 12-1 playoff record, having swept the Kelowna Rockets in Round 2 and the Penticton Vees in the Western Conference Final. Goaltender Anders Miller has posted a .948 save percentage — the best mark in WHL playoff history for goaltenders with nine or more games played. Landon DuPont and Carter Bear have each scored 10 or more playoff goals. The Silvertips allowed just 12 goals in their 12 wins. They are not built to lose.

    The Prince Albert Raiders won the Eastern Conference Final to earn their spot. This is the first time these two franchises have met in the WHL Championship Final. Everett is seeking its first Ed Chynoweth Cup and its first Memorial Cup berth in franchise history.

    Friday at 7:00 PM. Victory+. Free. No excuses not to watch.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where can I watch the Silvertips WHL Championship Final online for free?

    All games are available free globally on Victory+ (victoryplusapp.com and the Victory+ app). No subscription required.

    What time is Silvertips WHL Final Game 1?

    Game 1 is Friday, May 8 at 7:00 PM PDT at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington.

    What time is Silvertips WHL Final Game 2?

    Game 2 is Saturday, May 9 at 6:00 PM PDT at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington.

    Where are Games 3 and 4 of the WHL Championship Final?

    Games 3 and 4 are Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 13 at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Both will be streamed free on Victory+.

    Where can I buy tickets for the Silvertips WHL Final?

    Tickets for Games 1 and 2 at Angel of the Winds Arena are available at Ticketmaster and through silvertips.com.

  • Your Complete Fan Guide to Silvertips vs. Raiders WHL Final: Game 1 Is Friday at Angel of the Winds

    Your Complete Fan Guide to Silvertips vs. Raiders WHL Final: Game 1 Is Friday at Angel of the Winds

    Q: When is the Silvertips WHL Championship Final Game 1?
    A: Game 1 is Friday, May 8, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, with Game 2 on Saturday, May 9. The Silvertips face the Prince Albert Raiders in what is the first-ever WHL Championship matchup between these two franchises.

    Game 1 Is Friday Night at Angel of the Winds

    Two nights from now, Angel of the Winds Arena will be rocking for the biggest game in Everett hockey since the 2018 WHL Championship. The Silvertips are headed to the WHL Final — 12-1 in the 2026 playoffs, two sweeps and a statement 4-1 series in their rear pocket — and Friday night, May 8, Game 1 tips off against the Prince Albert Raiders. Game 2 follows Saturday, May 9, before the series shifts to Saskatchewan.

    This is the moment Everett hockey fans have been watching build all year. Here is everything you need to know heading into the weekend.

    Series Schedule

    The 2026 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien follows this format: Game 1 (May 8, Everett), Game 2 (May 9, Everett), Game 3 (May 12, Prince Albert), Game 4 (May 13, Prince Albert), Game 5 if needed (May 15, Prince Albert), Game 6 if needed (May 17, Everett), Game 7 if needed (May 18, Prince Albert). That means Everett gets Games 1, 2, and potentially 6 at home — the opener and a possible series-clincher.

    Tickets for Games 1 and 2 are available at silvertips.com and Ticketmaster. Do not sleep on these — a 12-1 team playing for the Ed Chynoweth Cup is a once-or-twice-a-generation event in this building.

    Why the Silvertips Are a Legitimate Cup Contender

    The 2025-26 Silvertips had one of the best regular seasons in franchise history — a 57-8-2-1 record, first in the WHL Western Conference by a country mile. In the playoffs, they have been dominant: a first-round sweep, a 4-1 series win over the Kelowna Rockets, and a second-round sweep of the Penticton Vees in the Western Conference Final. They have outscored opponents 51-12 across all playoff games entering the Final, and goaltender Anders Miller has been nothing short of spectacular.

    Miller’s playoff numbers are historic. He is posting a .948 save percentage — the best mark in WHL playoff history for a goaltender with nine or more games played. The defense in front of him, anchored by 16-year-old Landon DuPont, has been the backbone of everything that works about this team.

    This is the Silvertips’ third appearance in the WHL Championship Final, following runs in 2004 and 2018. They have never won the Ed Chynoweth Cup. That is the storyline hanging over everything this week.

    5 Silvertips to Watch

    Landon DuPont, D — The first defenseman in WHL history to receive Exceptional Status, DuPont has 17 points (4G-13A) in 13 playoff games. He is 16 years old. He is the best player on the ice most nights and one of the best defensive prospects in North America. His skating and poise under pressure have defined the Silvertips’ playoff run.

    Matias Vanhanen, F — The Silvertips’ playoff scoring leader with 19 points (10G-9A). He provides the offensive engine that DuPont enables from the back end. When Vanhanen is scoring, Everett wins games.

    Carter Bear, F — A Detroit Red Wings prospect with 16 points in 13 games, Bear plays a two-way game that makes Everett’s depth dangerous. You cannot key on DuPont and Vanhanen without Bear making you pay.

    Anders Miller, G — .948 playoff save percentage. WHL record for a goaltender with 9+ GP. The rest of the team could play well enough to win most series; with Miller, they can win them convincingly. He has been the backbone of the most dominant playoff run in recent Silvertips history.

    Landon DuPont (again) — Yes, he deserves two entries. He has 13 assists in 13 playoff games. He is a generational talent playing on the biggest stage junior hockey has. Watch him every shift.

    Know Your Opponent: The Prince Albert Raiders

    The Prince Albert Raiders won the WHL Championship in 1985 and 2019, and they are coming to Everett having just knocked off the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Eastern Conference Final. This is a dangerous, well-coached team with the best individual scorer remaining in the 2026 WHL Playoffs.

    Daxon Rudolph, D — Raiders’ 18-year-old defenseman who leads the ENTIRE WHL Playoffs in scoring with 23 points (9G-14A) in 15 games. He is ranked fifth among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s final 2026 NHL Draft rankings. Rudolph is a 6-foot-2, 202-pound blueliner who reads the ice like a veteran. This is the matchup within the matchup: Rudolph versus DuPont, two generational defensive prospects competing for a championship.

    Owen Corkish — Corkish had a hat trick in the Raiders’ ECF Game 5 win over Medicine Hat. He can score in bunches and will be looking to carry that momentum into the Final.

    The Raiders are appearing in their third WHL Championship, and they have won both previous trips. Everett needs to be aware of that institutional experience and match it with the confidence of a team that has been the best in the WHL all year.

    History: Everett Has Never Won This Trophy

    The Silvertips first reached the WHL Final in 2004, losing to the Kelowna Rockets. In 2018, they returned, losing to the Swift Current Broncos. Both times: close, but not there.

    This is year three of what fans hope is different. The roster is better, the goaltending may be the best in Silvertips playoff history, and a 16-year-old defenseman is leading the way. It is not a stretch to say this is the best team the franchise has fielded heading into a WHL Final. The Cup belongs in Everett. Friday night, the Silvertips get their first shot at proving it.

    How to Watch and Attend

    Tickets: Available at silvertips.com and Ticketmaster for Games 1 (May 8) and 2 (May 9) at Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett. Buy before they’re gone — this is a playoff Final at a 10,000-seat arena and demand will be high.

    Broadcast: Check silvertips.com and CHL.ca for streaming and TV options. The WHL Championship is typically available on TSN for Canadian viewers. U.S. streaming options will be listed on the Silvertips’ official channels.

    Angel of the Winds Arena: 2000 Hewitt Ave, Everett, WA 98201. Doors open approximately 90 minutes before puck drop. The building will be electric.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Q: When is Silvertips WHL Final Game 1?
    A: Game 1 is Friday, May 8, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett. Game 2 follows Saturday, May 9.

    Q: Who are the Everett Silvertips playing in the 2026 WHL Championship Final?
    A: The Silvertips are facing the Prince Albert Raiders. It is the first time these two franchises have met in the WHL Final.

    Q: What is the Silvertips’ 2026 playoff record?
    A: 12-1 entering the WHL Final, with two series sweeps and a 4-1 series win over Kelowna.

    Q: Who leads the Silvertips in playoff scoring?
    A: Matias Vanhanen leads with 19 points (10G-9A). Landon DuPont has 17 points (4G-13A) from the blue line. Carter Bear has 16 points.

    Q: Has Everett ever won the WHL Championship?
    A: No. The Silvertips reached the WHL Final in 2004 and 2018 but did not win either time. The 2026 Final is their third chance.

    Q: Where can I buy tickets for the Silvertips WHL Final?
    A: Tickets for Games 1 and 2 are available at silvertips.com and Ticketmaster.

  • This Week in Everett Sports: WHL Championship Final Opens Friday, Bryce Miller Is at Funko Field Wednesday

    This Week in Everett Sports: WHL Championship Final Opens Friday, Bryce Miller Is at Funko Field Wednesday

    Q: What Everett sports events are happening the week of May 4-10, 2026?
    A: The biggest week of the Everett sports calendar opens Friday. The Silvertips host the Prince Albert Raiders in Games 1 and 2 of the WHL Championship Final at Angel of the Winds Arena (May 8-9). The AquaSox host Hillsboro for six games at Funko Field (May 5-10), including a Bryce Miller Mariners rehab start Wednesday May 6. Wolfpack fell to Albany 42-34 Saturday.

    This Week in Everett Sports: WHL Championship Final Arrives, Bryce Miller Is Back, and the Homestand Begins

    This is the week. The one Silvertips fans have been waiting for since October. The one AquaSox fans get to enjoy with a legitimate Mariners pitcher walking out of the home dugout on a Wednesday night. The one that makes Everett feel like a real sports city.

    Here’s everything happening in Everett sports May 4-10, 2026.

    1. WHL Championship Final: Silvertips vs. Prince Albert Raiders — Games 1 & 2 at Angel of the Winds Arena

    The opponent is confirmed. Sunday night the Prince Albert Raiders beat the Medicine Hat Tigers 7-6 in Game 6 of the WHL Eastern Conference Final to win the series four games to two. Riley Boychuk scored the go-ahead goal in the third period and finished with two goals. The Raiders were clinging on late — Liam Ruck scored for Medicine Hat with seven seconds left — but Prince Albert held on.

    The Raiders are coming to Everett.

    Game 1: Friday, May 8 at Angel of the Winds Arena (time TBA pending TSN broadcast confirmation)
    Game 2: Saturday, May 9 at Angel of the Winds Arena

    The Silvertips are 12-1 in these playoffs. They swept Kelowna. They swept Penticton. Anders Miller’s .948 save percentage is playing at a historically rare level for a goaltender 12 games into a WHL playoff run. Matias Vanhanen leads the team in scoring. Landon DuPont has been the clutch-goal machine. Prince Albert is a legitimate Eastern Conference champion — Owen Corkish had a hat trick in their Game 5, and Daxon Rudolph has been one of the most productive players in the entire playoffs. This is a real series.

    Tickets are available through the Silvertips’ Playoff Ticket Central page and Ticketmaster. Playoff fan packs, ticket-and-drink bundles, and group options (8+ tickets) are all available. For a 12-1 team in its first WHL Championship Final appearance in years, these games will sell. Don’t wait.

    2. AquaSox vs. Hillsboro Hops — Six-Game Homestand at Funko Field (May 5-10)

    The Frogs are back at Funko Field after a 3-3 road trip in Tri-City. They went 3-3 — splitting the series with the Viñeros, going into a late-inning lead on Sunday and watching Tri-City’s four-run seventh erase it. Not a great way to end a road trip, but Brandon Eike’s sixth homer of the season in the series finale is a reminder that this offense has pop.

    Now they’re home against the Hillsboro Hops (D-backs High-A affiliate) for six games:

    Tuesday, May 5 (Cinco de Mayo): 7:05 PM
    Wednesday, May 6: 7:05 PM — Bryce Miller rehab start
    Thursday, May 7: 7:05 PM
    Friday, May 8: 12:05 PM (afternoon game — double your Friday sports: catch this, then head to AOTW for Game 1 that night)
    Saturday, May 9: 7:05 PM
    Sunday, May 10 (Mother’s Day): 1:05 PM

    3. Bryce Miller Rehab Start — Wednesday, May 6 at 7:05 PM

    This is the game to circle if you can only make one this week.

    Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller returns to Funko Field on Wednesday night for what could be his final minor league start before heading back to Seattle. His April 24 outing here was something — 3 scoreless innings, 47 pitches, 6 strikeouts, 98+ mph, didn’t allow a baserunner until the third. That’s not a guy going through the motions. That’s a Mariners starter who was looking sharp and wanted everyone in the building to know it.

    Miller had a 2.94 ERA in 2024 over 180 innings. He’s the kind of arm the Mariners need back healthy for a playoff push. Watch how he looks coming out of the stretch, how his slider breaks in the first two innings — that’ll tell you whether he’s ready to return to Seattle or needs one more extended session.

    Either way, Wednesday night at Funko Field is worth showing up for.

    4. Washington Wolfpack Fall to Albany 42-34 on Saturday

    The Washington Wolfpack hosted the defending Arena Crown champion Albany Firebirds on Saturday at AOTW for Teacher’s Night and fought hard before falling 42-34. Arena Rookie Jaiave Magalei had a significantly better performance than his first game, and the Wolfpack defense created some big plays — but the Firebirds, who came in with the best record in the AF1, had too much firepower to overcome.

    Wolfpack are now 0-2 on the season. Next home game: Saturday, May 23 vs. the Beaumont Renegades at AOTW, 3:00 PM.

    5. The Friday You Can’t Miss

    Let’s map out Friday, May 8 for you, because it’s genuinely one of the better sports days Everett has had in years.

    12:05 PM: AquaSox vs. Hillsboro Hops at Funko Field. Afternoon baseball on a Friday. Pack a lunch, bring sunscreen, watch the Frogs.
    Evening: Silvertips vs. Prince Albert Raiders, WHL Championship Final Game 1, at Angel of the Winds Arena. Time TBA but expect a 7:00-7:30 PM start pending TSN confirmation.

    Two Everett sports events on one Friday. Use your time wisely.

    The Big Picture

    Everett is two months into a sports spring that has genuinely delivered. The Silvertips are 12-1 in the playoffs and playing for the Ed Chynoweth Cup. The AquaSox have a pair of legitimate prospects in Eike and Celesten drawing real attention from Mariners fans. A Mariners rehab starter is using Funko Field as his tune-up venue. Angel of the Winds Arena is busy every weekend.

    The new downtown stadium — if the $120M project holds together — is the venue that anchors all of this long-term. The AquaSox affiliation requires it. The USL pro soccer teams need it. But that’s next year’s conversation. This week, Everett has the WHL Championship Final at AOTW. That’s enough.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the Silvertips WHL Final schedule?

    Games 1 and 2 are at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett on May 8 (Friday) and May 9 (Saturday). Games 3 and 4 shift to Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert on May 11-12. Start times for Game 1 are TBA pending TSN broadcast confirmation.

    When is Bryce Miller pitching at Funko Field?

    Bryce Miller’s AquaSox rehab start is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6 at 7:05 PM at Funko Field against the Hillsboro Hops.

    Can I see both AquaSox and Silvertips on the same day this week?

    Yes — Friday May 8. The AquaSox play at 12:05 PM at Funko Field vs. Hillsboro. That evening, the Silvertips host Game 1 of the WHL Championship Final at Angel of the Winds Arena.

    What happened in the Wolfpack game Saturday?

    The Washington Wolfpack fell to the Albany Firebirds 42-34 at Angel of the Winds Arena on Saturday, May 2. The Wolfpack showed improvement from Arena Rookie Jaiave Magalei but couldn’t overcome the defending Arena Crown champion Firebirds. Wolfpack next home game is May 23 vs. Beaumont.

    How do I get Silvertips WHL Final tickets?

    Tickets for Games 1 and 2 are available through the Silvertips’ Playoff Ticket Central page at chl.ca/whl-silvertips and on Ticketmaster. Playoff fan packs and ticket-and-drink bundles are available.

    More Everett sports coverage: Silvertips vs. Prince Albert Raiders: 2026 WHL Championship Final Preview | AquaSox Go 3-3 at Tri-City — Homestand Starts Tuesday | Silvertips WHL Final: Tickets, Dates and What It Means for Everett

  • The Opponent Is Set: Everett Silvertips vs. Prince Albert Raiders in the 2026 WHL Championship Final

    The Opponent Is Set: Everett Silvertips vs. Prince Albert Raiders in the 2026 WHL Championship Final

    Q: Who are the Everett Silvertips playing in the 2026 WHL Championship Final?
    A: The Silvertips face the Prince Albert Raiders, who defeated the Medicine Hat Tigers 7-6 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final on May 3, 2026. Games 1 and 2 are at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett on May 8 and May 9.

    The Wait Is Over: Everett Silvertips vs. Prince Albert Raiders — 2026 WHL Championship Final Starts Friday

    It’s official. The Everett Silvertips now know who they’re playing.

    Sunday night in Medicine Hat, the Prince Albert Raiders outlasted the Tigers 7-6 in a wild Game 6 to win the WHL Eastern Conference Final four games to two. Riley Boychuk scored twice for the Raiders — including the go-ahead goal in the third period — and Jonas Woo and Aiden Oiring also factored into the scoring. The Tigers made it interesting with a 6-on-5 goal from Liam Ruck with just seven seconds left, but the final buzzer put it away.

    The Raiders are coming to Everett. Games 1 and 2 of the 2026 WHL Championship Final are at Angel of the Winds Arena on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9. The series then shifts to Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert for Games 3 and 4.

    The Silvertips have been waiting since April 28, when they swept the Penticton Vees in four games to advance. Ten days off. Rested. 12-1 in these playoffs. And now they have a target.

    Who Are the Prince Albert Raiders?

    If you haven’t followed the Eastern Conference Final, here’s what you need to know about the team coming to AOTW next Friday.

    The Raiders were the No. 1 seed in the East and beat Medicine Hat in six hard-fought games. This wasn’t a sweep — the Tigers gave them everything, including a 7-6 Game 6 that went down to the wire. Prince Albert is a team that wins ugly, wins on special teams, and grinds you out. They are not going to be awed by a big building and a loud crowd. That makes this series interesting.

    Key names to know on the Raiders roster:

    Daxon Rudolph has been one of the most productive players in the WHL playoffs overall. He’s a physical, two-way center who generates in transition and makes the Raiders harder to defend. Owen Corkish had a hat trick in Game 5 against Medicine Hat, including the empty-netter. He’s hot heading into this series and lives around the net. Riley Boychuk came up huge in the Game 6 clincher with two goals, including the go-ahead in the third — he’s a late-game player who steps up when it matters. Goaltender Michal Orsulak has been steady all playoff long — not flashy, but reliable, allowing fewer than three goals per game while facing good competition.

    Andrew Basha contributed throughout the ECF and has been a consistent secondary scorer for Prince Albert. Expect him to be a factor against Everett’s blue line.

    Silvertips: A 12-1 Playoff Machine

    Let’s reset what Everett has done this postseason, because the numbers keep getting more remarkable.

    The Silvertips swept the Kelowna Rockets in four games, then swept the Penticton Vees in four games. Twelve games in, one loss. They’ve outscored opponents by a wide margin and have done it with depth — different heroes every night, elite goaltending, and a blue line that collapses on anything in the slot.

    Anders Miller in net has been historically good. His .948 save percentage and under 1.60 goals-against average over 12 games puts him in conversation for the best goaltending performance in WHL playoff history for a goalie this deep into a run. Goalies get tired. Miller has gotten sharper.

    Matias Vanhanen leads Everett in playoff scoring with 14+ points through the first two rounds. Landon DuPont has been the clutch-goal guy — his overtime winner against Kelowna in the series-clincher remains one of the signature moments of this playoff run. Carter Bear has been a two-way force all spring. The Silvertips don’t depend on any one player, which is what makes them so difficult to scheme against.

    The Historical Context: What This WHL Final Means

    This is not a common occurrence. The Silvertips have been to the WHL Championship Final before, but it’s rare — and a Final played at home, in front of Everett fans at Angel of the Winds Arena, is something this city hasn’t experienced in years.

    The prize is the Ed Chynoweth Cup. The WHL champion also earns a berth in the Memorial Cup — the national junior hockey championship across the CHL. This is as big as it gets for a WHL franchise. The players on this roster understand that. The way they’ve played suggests they’ve been building toward this.

    Prince Albert is a legitimate test. But the Silvertips are 12-1, playing at home first, and have a goaltender operating at a level rarely seen this deep into a playoff run. If you’ve been curious about what this Silvertips team is all about, Games 1 and 2 at AOTW are your answer.

    WHL Championship Final Schedule — Everett Home Games

    Game 1: Friday, May 8 — Prince Albert at Everett — Angel of the Winds Arena (time TBA, pending TSN broadcast confirmation)
    Game 2: Saturday, May 9 — Prince Albert at Everett — Angel of the Winds Arena
    *Game 5 (if needed): Friday, May 15 — at Everett
    *Game 7 (if needed): Tuesday, May 19 — at Everett

    Games 3-4 are in Prince Albert (May 11-12). Games 3-7 dates subject to scheduling confirmation. Check the Silvertips’ official website for confirmed start times as they’re announced.

    How to Get Tickets

    Playoff Ticket Central is live at the Silvertips’ official site and Ticketmaster. Available promotions include playoff fan packs, ticket-and-drink bundles, and group discounts starting at 8 tickets. Given what this moment represents for Everett hockey, demand is real — get your seats for Game 1 or Game 2 before they’re gone.

    Season ticket holders should check their email for priority access information.

    The Take

    Prince Albert is not here to make up the numbers. A team that grinds through a 7-6 Game 6 on the road to clinch a series — clinging on in the third period with the other team pulling their goalie — is a mentally tough opponent. They won’t fold just because they’re walking into AOTW as the road team.

    But the Silvertips are 12-1. Anders Miller is playing out of his mind. Vanhanen and DuPont and Bear are all firing. They’ve had ten days to rest and prepare while Prince Albert spent those days fighting through six games.

    The WHL Championship Final starts Friday. Be there.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When is Game 1 of the Silvertips WHL Championship Final?

    Game 1 is Friday, May 8, 2026, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett. The start time is pending TSN national broadcast confirmation — check the Silvertips’ official website for the confirmed time.

    Who are the Silvertips playing in the 2026 WHL Final?

    The Prince Albert Raiders, who defeated the Medicine Hat Tigers 4-2 in the WHL Eastern Conference Final. The Raiders won Game 6 on May 3, 2026 by a score of 7-6.

    Where can I get tickets to the WHL Championship Final in Everett?

    Tickets are available through the Silvertips’ Playoff Ticket Central page and Ticketmaster. Promotions include playoff fan packs, ticket-and-drink bundles, and group options starting at 8 tickets.

    What is Everett’s record in the 2026 WHL playoffs?

    The Silvertips are 12-1 in the 2026 WHL playoffs entering the Championship Final, having swept Kelowna in Round 2 and Penticton in the Western Conference Final.

    Who are the key players to watch for Prince Albert?

    Daxon Rudolph (two-way center), Owen Corkish (hat trick in ECF Game 5), Riley Boychuk (two goals in Game 6 clincher), and goaltender Michal Orsulak are the names to watch for the Raiders.

    Previously on the Silvertips playoff run: Silvertips Are Going to the WHL Championship Final: Tickets, Dates, and What This Moment Means for Everett | Owen Corkish Hat Trick Lifts Prince Albert Past Medicine Hat 6-3

  • For Visitors Flying Into Paine Field From Portland: A 2026 Everett Weekend Guide for the New June 10 Nonstop

    For Visitors Flying Into Paine Field From Portland: A 2026 Everett Weekend Guide for the New June 10 Nonstop

    If you live in the Portland metro and have been wondering whether Everett, Washington is worth a weekend, June 10, 2026 changes the answer. That’s the day Alaska Airlines resumes daily nonstop service between Portland International (PDX) and Paine Field (PAE) — landing you 25 minutes north of downtown Everett at a small, walk-to-the-gate terminal that bypasses SeaTac entirely. This guide is the Everett itinerary the new route makes practical for the first time.

    Why Paine Field is the right airport for an Everett trip

    Most Pacific Northwest visitors arrive into SeaTac and immediately face a decision: drive 90 minutes north against I-5 traffic, or skip everything north of Seattle entirely. Paine Field changes that calculation. It is a small commercial terminal in Snohomish County that opened in March 2019, operated by Propeller Airports. There is no remote parking shuttle. There is no terminal-to-terminal monorail. You walk from the gate to the curb in roughly the time it takes to clear a single TSA line.

    From the curb, a rideshare to downtown Everett is roughly 25 minutes. To the waterfront — about 30. To the AquaSox stadium at Funko Field — under 30.

    The weekend itinerary the new nonstop makes possible

    Friday evening — Land, drop, and walk to dinner. Land at Paine Field by early evening on Alaska’s daily PDX-PAE nonstop. Drop bags at a downtown Everett hotel, then walk to Hewitt Avenue. The dining stretch on Hewitt has rebuilt itself in 2026 — R Harn Thai opened earlier this year and is the right call for a first-night meal. Order the khao soi.

    Saturday morning — Waterfront and Jetty Island. Drive 10 minutes to the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place — the redeveloped working waterfront with restaurant row, marina access, and the seasonal Jetty Island ferry. Jetty Island is a free 20-minute walk-on ferry to a two-mile sand spit in Possession Sound. Bring a windbreaker even in June.

    Saturday afternoon — Funko HQ and downtown. Funko’s Everett headquarters sits in a converted historic downtown building and is open to visitors. The retail experience is unlike any other corporate flagship in the Pacific Northwest. Combine with a walk through the surrounding gallery district — the Everett Art Walk runs the third Thursday of each month if your trip aligns.

    Saturday evening — AquaSox or Silvertips, in season. The Everett AquaSox play at Funko Field downtown (Mariners High-A affiliate, summer schedule) and the Everett Silvertips play at Angel of the Winds Arena (WHL major junior hockey, fall through spring playoffs). Either is a low-cost, high-energy minor-league experience you cannot reproduce in Portland.

    Sunday — Boeing Future of Flight or a North Cascades day trip. The Boeing Future of Flight aviation museum sits adjacent to Paine Field — convenient to a Sunday departure. For a longer day, Everett is the gateway to Mukilteo, Whidbey Island via the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry, and the western foothills of the North Cascades. None of these are easy out of SeaTac.

    Why this works as a weekend the previous schedule didn’t allow

    Without a PAE-PDX nonstop, the Portland visitor’s only option for an Everett weekend has been to fly into SeaTac and drive 90+ minutes north. The drive eats Friday evening and most of Sunday morning. With the new daily Alaska nonstop, you can land in Everett by 6 PM on Friday and depart by mid-day on Sunday and not lose either bookend to airport time.

    The June 10 launch lands during AquaSox season, before the worst summer Mukilteo ferry queues, and during the most active stretch of the Port of Everett’s outdoor programming.

    Practical details for Portland-area visitors

    • Airport: Seattle Paine Field International Airport (PAE), Everett, WA. Operated by Propeller Airports.
    • Tickets: alaskaair.com
    • Service start: June 10, 2026, daily.
    • Rideshare to downtown Everett: ~25 minutes.
    • Hotels: Downtown Everett options cluster around the Hewitt Avenue corridor and the waterfront.

    Frequently asked questions for visitors

    Is Paine Field a real commercial airport?

    Yes. Seattle Paine Field International Airport (PAE) opened its commercial terminal in March 2019. It is operated by Propeller Airports and serves Alaska Airlines and Avelo Airlines. After the June 10, 2026 Portland launch it will run 13 daily commercial departures across nine nonstop destinations.

    How far is Paine Field from downtown Everett?

    Roughly 25 minutes by rideshare. The terminal sits on the southwest edge of Everett near Mukilteo.

    What is there to actually do in Everett for a weekend?

    Waterfront Place at the Port of Everett, Jetty Island (seasonal ferry), Funko HQ in downtown, AquaSox baseball at Funko Field (summer) or Silvertips hockey at Angel of the Winds Arena (fall through spring), the Everett Art Walk on third Thursdays, and Boeing Future of Flight adjacent to Paine Field for a Sunday departure-day stop.

    Do I need a rental car?

    For a Friday-to-Sunday Everett-only itinerary, rideshare is enough. If you want to add Mukilteo, Whidbey Island via ferry, or any North Cascades day trip, rent a car at the airport.

    What’s the closest hotel to Paine Field?

    The airport area itself has limited lodging. Most visitors stay downtown Everett or near the waterfront — both are roughly 25-30 minutes from the terminal.

    Related Exploring Everett coverage for visitors