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  • WHL Eastern Conference Final Heads to Game 5 in Prince Albert Tonight — and the Silvertips Are Still Watching for an Opponent

    WHL Eastern Conference Final Heads to Game 5 in Prince Albert Tonight — and the Silvertips Are Still Watching for an Opponent

    WHL Eastern Conference Final Goes to Game 5 in Prince Albert Tonight — and the Silvertips Are Still Watching to See Who They Get in the Final

    The Everett Silvertips have been on the couch since April 28, when Hayden Vanhanen scored the game-winner and Adam Miettinen tacked on an empty-netter to finish a four-game sweep of the Penticton Vees in the Western Conference Final. Twelve playoff games. One loss. Three series wins. A WHL Final berth and home-ice advantage in the bag.

    Now they wait — and Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final on Friday, May 1, may or may not deliver them an opponent. The Prince Albert Raiders host the Medicine Hat Tigers tonight at 7:00 p.m. CT (5:00 p.m. PT) at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert with the best-of-seven series tied 2-2.

    If the Raiders win, the series goes to a best-of-three. If the Tigers win, they head home with a chance to close it out at Co-op Place.

    Either way, the Silvertips’ WHL Final opens at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett next Friday, May 8. The opponent’s just the variable.

    Where the Series Sits

    The Eastern Conference Final hasn’t been the runaway some predicted when the No. 1 Raiders met the No. 2 Tigers. Prince Albert tied things up Wednesday night with a 6-3 win at Co-op Place, scoring three straight in the second period after going into the intermission tied 2-2. The series now stands 2-2 with three games left to play if needed.

    Medicine Hat coach Willie Desjardins didn’t sugarcoat it after Game 4. “We have to play better,” he told Medicine Hat News. Tigers forward Ethan Neutens said the team was “pretty lackadaisical in some areas of our game” and “weren’t winning our battles.” When you let the No. 1 seed in the East score three unanswered to take a swing series, that’s the kind of postgame quote you give.

    The remaining schedule:

    • **Game 5:** Friday, May 1 — Medicine Hat at Prince Albert, 7:00 p.m. CT (Art Hauser Centre)
    • **Game 6 (if necessary):** Sunday, May 3 — Prince Albert at Medicine Hat, 6:00 p.m. CT (Co-op Place)
    • **Game 7 (if necessary):** TBD if needed

    Why It Matters for Everett

    The Silvertips earned the right to host the WHL Final by going 12-1 through the West playoffs and finishing the regular season as the Scotty Munro Trophy winners (best regular-season record in the league at 57-8-2-1, 117 points). That means Games 1 and 2 of the WHL Final are both at Angel of the Winds Arena on May 8 and May 9 — regardless of which Eastern team comes out.

    But the matchup matters from a strategic standpoint, and from a fan-narrative standpoint:

    If it’s Medicine Hat

    The Tigers are a Top-2 seed with elite depth and a goaltender, Harrison Meneghin, who’s putting up sharp numbers. Medicine Hat plays a structured, neutral-zone-pressure style that has given Penticton-style transition teams trouble all year. They’d be the more rested matchup, too — they finished off Calgary in five and only got their fourth ECF game on May 1. The Tigers are the analytics darling.

    If it’s Prince Albert

    The Raiders are the higher seed and the physical mismatch favorite. They have the league’s best regular-season defensive rating, deeper experience at every position group, and Prince Albert plays a heavy, structured game that typically slows down high-flying Western Conference teams. Anders Miller’s 8-0 / 1.55 GAA / .948 SV% playoff resume gets stress-tested by a team built to grind possessions and win in tight.

    Either matchup is a real series. Neither team is going to be intimidated by the Silvertips’ 12-1 playoff record.

    What Tips Fans Are Watching For Tonight

    1. **Special teams.** The Raiders’ power play has carried them in this series. If Prince Albert keeps converting, they take this series in six.

    2. **Goaltending.** This Eastern Final has been a goaltending-deciding series — the team with the better third-period save percentage has won three of the four games so far.

    3. **The East’s third-period play.** Whichever team holds a third-period lead has won every game in this series. So when the puck drops at the Art Hauser Centre tonight, watch the second-intermission scoreboard. If a team’s up after 40, they’re probably winning.

    What’s Confirmed for the WHL Final at Angel of the Winds Arena

    • **Game 1:** Friday, May 8 at Angel of the Winds Arena
    • **Game 2:** Saturday, May 9 at Angel of the Winds Arena
    • **Games 3-4:** At the Eastern team’s home rink (Prince Albert’s Art Hauser Centre or Medicine Hat’s Co-op Place)
    • **Games 5-7 (if necessary):** Alternate between Everett and the Eastern host

    Tickets for Games 1-2 of the Final are on sale through the Silvertips’ website and Ticketmaster. Demand has been heavy ever since the Penticton sweep — the Tips are 12-1 in the playoffs and back in the WHL Final for the first time in a generation.

    The Silvertips Squad That’s Waiting

    Quick refresher on the team that Game 5 winners will face:

    • **Anders Miller:** 8-0, 1.55 GAA, .948 SV%. The best playoff save percentage among WHL goalies with 9+ games played, ever.
    • **Landon DuPont:** Already at 13 playoff points despite being a defenseman. Shooting from the point with NHL-prospect confidence.
    • **Hayden Vanhanen:** Game-winner Game 4 vs. Penticton; 14 playoff points and the team’s leading scorer.
    • **Carter Bear:** 10 playoff goals, including a shorthanded shift-changer in Game 5 of the WCF.
    • **Rylan Gould:** Two power-play goals in Game 2 of the WCF, including the loose-puck 2OT winner.
    • **Anders Miller’s brother in arms — AJ Reyelts:** Has played sparingly but stepped up with a goalie clinic in OT1 of WCF Game 2.

    This is a team that has scored 51 goals and surrendered 12 across 13 playoff games. They are 8-0 at home in the postseason. They have not allowed more than 3 goals in any playoff game.

    The Eastern Conference winner has a problem — and tonight in Prince Albert, that problem will get a name.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Who plays in WHL Eastern Conference Final Game 5?

    The Prince Albert Raiders host the Medicine Hat Tigers at 7:00 p.m. CT on Friday, May 1, 2026 at the Art Hauser Centre. The series is tied 2-2.

    What’s the WHL Final schedule?

    Games 1 and 2 are at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9. The series then shifts to the Eastern team’s home rink for Games 3 and 4. The series alternates from there if it goes longer.

    Does Everett have home-ice advantage in the WHL Final?

    Yes. As the Scotty Munro Trophy winners (best regular-season record), the Silvertips host the higher-seeded series throughout the WHL playoffs.

    When are Silvertips Final tickets on sale?

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

    What’s Anders Miller’s playoff save percentage?

    .948 across eight games — the best playoff save percentage among WHL goaltenders with nine or more playoff games played, in league history.

    How did the Silvertips get to the WHL Final?

    By going 12-1 through the Western Conference playoffs: a 4-2 first-round win over Spokane, a 4-1 second-round win over Kelowna, and a 4-0 sweep of Penticton in the Western Conference Final. They finished the regular season 57-8-2-1 (117 points), the best record in the WHL.

    Who’s the favorite if it’s Everett vs. Prince Albert?

    Toss-up. The Silvertips have the better playoff record and home-ice advantage; the Raiders have the deeper roster and a heavier style of play that has given high-octane teams problems all year. Vegas would probably set Everett at -130 to -150 in that matchup.

    Who’s the favorite if it’s Everett vs. Medicine Hat?

    Slight edge to the Silvertips. Medicine Hat has elite goaltending and structure, but the Tigers have shown vulnerability in this series and don’t have the same depth advantage.

  • WHL Eastern Conference Final Is Tied 2-2 — Game 5 Is Friday, and the Silvertips Are Watching

    WHL Eastern Conference Final Is Tied 2-2 — Game 5 Is Friday, and the Silvertips Are Watching

    The Everett Silvertips are done playing. They swept their way through the Western Conference Final in four games, beat Penticton with a 12-1 playoff record, and have been sitting in the waiting room since Saturday. As of Wednesday night, the picture is clear: the Eastern Conference Final is going to a Game 5.

    Prince Albert Raiders 6, Medicine Hat Tigers 3. Series tied 2-2. Game 5 is Friday, May 1 at Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. The winner goes to the WHL Championship Final. Games 1 and 2 are at Angel of the Winds Arena on May 8 and May 9.

    What Happened in Game 4

    Prince Albert came into Co-op Place in Medicine Hat needing a win to stay alive after trailing the series 2-1. They delivered with authority.

    Daxon Rudolph was the night’s headliner — the draft-eligible defenseman posted a playoff career-high four points with a pair of power-play goals. Aiden Oiring added the game-winner. Evan Smith, Max Heise, and Maddix McCagherty also found the scoresheet. The Tigers got goals from Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll (two) and Ethan Neutens but couldn’t match the Raiders’ output.

    Final: Raiders 6, Tigers 3. Series knotted at 2-2.

    The Series So Far

    This has been a genuinely competitive Eastern Conference Final — every game has had a different winner:

    • Game 1: Prince Albert wins at home
    • Game 2: Medicine Hat ties the series
    • Game 3: Medicine Hat takes the lead with an overtime win
    • Game 4: Prince Albert levels it 2-2 with a dominant 6-3 road performance

    Game 5: Friday, May 1 at Prince Albert

    Home advantage goes back to the Raiders for the winner-take-all game, with puck drop Friday night in Saskatchewan. The winner books their flight to Everett.

    For Silvertips fans, Game 5 means another short wait — but it also means you’ll know your opponent before the first WHL Championship Final home game on May 8. Watch Game 5 if you can find a stream. You want to know what’s coming.

    The Silvertips Fan’s Scouting Report

    Prince Albert Raiders — The #1 Eastern Conference seed. They swept Saskatoon in the second round before this tight series with Medicine Hat. Daxon Rudolph has been their engine this postseason — a draft-eligible defenseman putting up four-point nights in elimination games.

    Medicine Hat Tigers — The #2 seed. Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll scored twice in a loss on Wednesday, and they’ve forced a decisive game. Don’t count them out because they’re in an elimination situation — they’ve beaten PA twice already in this series.

    Either team makes for a compelling WHL Championship Final. The Silvertips are 12-1 in the playoffs with a dominant goal differential across three rounds. Whoever comes out of the East is facing the most dangerous team in the league.

    The Calendar: What to Know

    • May 1 — ECF Game 5 at Prince Albert (Friday night)
    • May 8 — WHL Championship Final Game 1 at Angel of the Winds Arena (Thursday)
    • May 9 — WHL Championship Final Game 2 at Angel of the Winds Arena (Friday)
    • Games 3-7 — Alternating sites; Game 5 (if needed) would return to Everett

    Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. This is the most significant hockey series at Angel of the Winds Arena in years.

    Related: Silvertips Are Going to the WHL Championship Final: Tickets, Dates, and What This Moment Means | The Silvertips Are Waiting: Prince Albert vs. Medicine Hat — Who Comes Out of the East?

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the WHL Eastern Conference Final series score after Game 4?
    The series is tied 2-2. Prince Albert Raiders won Game 4 6-3, leveling the series after Medicine Hat had taken a 2-1 lead.

    When is WHL Eastern Conference Final Game 5?
    Game 5 is Friday, May 1, 2026 at Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.

    Who will the Silvertips face in the WHL Championship Final?
    The winner of Game 5 between the Prince Albert Raiders and Medicine Hat Tigers. That game is Friday, May 1.

    When are the Silvertips WHL Championship Final home games?
    Games 1 and 2 are at Angel of the Winds Arena on Thursday, May 8 and Friday, May 9, 2026.

    What is the Silvertips’ record in the 2026 WHL Playoffs?
    The Silvertips are 12-1 with back-to-back sweeps in Rounds 2 and 3. Their regular-season record was 57-8-2-1.

  • The Silvertips Are Waiting: Prince Albert vs. Medicine Hat — Who Comes Out of the East?

    The Silvertips Are Waiting: Prince Albert vs. Medicine Hat — Who Comes Out of the East?

    Who will the Silvertips face in the 2026 WHL Championship Final? The Everett Silvertips are awaiting the winner of the WHL Eastern Conference Final between the Prince Albert Raiders and Medicine Hat Tigers. Through three games, Medicine Hat leads 2-1. Games 1-2 of the Championship Final are scheduled for May 8-9 at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett.

    The Everett Silvertips swept their way through two rounds of the 2026 WHL Playoffs and have been waiting since last Tuesday’s series-clinching win over Penticton for the Eastern Conference to sort itself out.

    Now we know who’s left.

    The WHL Eastern Conference Final is a best-of-seven between the Prince Albert Raiders (No. 1 seed, Eastern Conference) and the Medicine Hat Tigers (No. 2 seed, defending WHL champions). Through three games, the Tigers lead 2-1. Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29 in Medicine Hat. Whoever wins the series will meet Everett in the WHL Championship Final, with Games 1-2 at Angel of the Winds Arena on May 8-9.

    Let’s break down who the Silvertips might face — and what it means either way.

    The Prince Albert Raiders: The East’s Top Seed

    The Prince Albert Raiders were the best team in the WHL Eastern Conference during the 2025-26 regular season, and they made that clear in Game 1 of this series — an 8-3 statement win at the Art Hauser Centre that was fueled by a dominant power play. The Raiders scored three times on the man-advantage, and in front of 3,299 fans in Prince Albert, it looked like the East was theirs for the taking.

    Then Game 2 happened. Medicine Hat shut them out 5-0 in their own building. Then the Tigers took Game 3, 2-1 in overtime in Prince Albert, with Raiders defenseman Daxon Rudolph opening the scoring before the Tigers clawed back. That OT loss was gut-punch hockey — PA outplayed Medicine Hat for stretches but came up empty when it counted most.

    The Raiders have real weapons: their power play has been a weapon all season, and they’re deep up front. If they advance, the Silvertips’ special-teams units — which ranked among the WHL’s best this season — face a real test.

    The Medicine Hat Tigers: Defending Champions

    The Medicine Hat Tigers arrived at the Eastern Conference Final with something Prince Albert doesn’t have: a championship banner already hanging in their building. The defending WHL champions swept their previous round and are showing exactly the kind of resilience that defines successful title defenses.

    Goaltender Jordan Switzer has been the backbone of this run. Shutting out the East’s top seed on the road in Game 2 isn’t an accident — it’s a compete level that medicine-hat teams have made their identity. Their ability to win in Prince Albert’s arena (they’ve done it twice in three games) is the most telling indicator of where this series is going.

    If Medicine Hat comes out of the East, Everett gets a matchup against the defending champions — the ultimate proving ground for a Silvertips team that has played like the WHL’s best team over 13 playoff games.

    What This Means for the Silvertips

    Everett has been the clear class of the WHL Western Conference this postseason. Their 12-1 playoff record, two sweeps, and a double-overtime comeback win in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final against Penticton — this is a team playing championship-level hockey.

    Whichever team comes out of the East will be road-tested, battle-hardened, and carrying playoff momentum. No soft landing for the Silvertips. That said, Everett’s advantages are significant:

    • Anders Miller in goal, whose .948 save percentage through the playoffs has been the best in WHL playoff history for a goaltender with 9+ games played
    • Landon DuPont and Jere Vanhanen leading the offense with 13 and 14 playoff points respectively
    • Carter Bear adding a shorthanded goal dimension that makes the Silvertips dangerous in all situations
    • Angel of the Winds Arena for Games 1 and 2 — one of the loudest buildings in the WHL when the Silvertips are rolling

    Both opponents — Raiders or Tigers — present legitimate challenges. Prince Albert’s power play against Everett’s penalty kill. Medicine Hat’s battle-hardened goaltending against Anders Miller. It’s the kind of matchup that makes WHL Championship Finals memorable.

    Championship Final Schedule (Games 1-2 in Everett)

    Get these on your calendar now. The opponent will be confirmed as soon as the Eastern Conference Final concludes — possibly as early as tonight if Game 4 is decisive, or over the next several days if the series extends.

    • Game 1: Thursday, May 8 — Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett
    • Game 2: Friday, May 9 — Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett
    • Games 3-4: Eastern finalist’s arena (dates TBD)
    • Games 5-7: To be determined as series unfolds

    Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com and the AOTW box office. If you’ve been watching the Silvertips’ playoff run, you know this building is going to be electric on May 8.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When is the WHL Championship Final 2026?

    Games 1-2 are at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett on May 8-9. Games 3-4 shift to the Eastern finalist’s home arena. The full schedule will be confirmed once the Eastern Conference Final concludes.

    Who will the Silvertips play in the WHL Championship Final?

    The opponent is being determined in the WHL Eastern Conference Final between the Prince Albert Raiders (No. 1 East seed) and the Medicine Hat Tigers (No. 2 East seed, defending WHL champions). Medicine Hat leads the series 2-1 through three games, with Game 4 on April 29.

    What is the Silvertips’ 2026 playoff record?

    The Everett Silvertips are 12-1 through the first two rounds, having swept the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL West Second Round and defeated the Penticton Vees 4-1 in the Western Conference Final.

    What is Anders Miller’s save percentage in the 2026 WHL playoffs?

    Anders Miller’s save percentage is .948 through the 2026 WHL playoffs — the best recorded mark in WHL playoff history for a goaltender with nine or more games played.

    Where can I buy Silvertips WHL Championship Final tickets?

    Tickets for Games 1-2 (May 8-9 in Everett) are available through Ticketmaster.com and at the Angel of the Winds Arena box office at 2000 Hewitt Avenue, Everett.

    Sources: WHL.ca, CHL.ca, Prince Albert Raiders official releases, OurSports Central, HeraldNet, Penticton Western News. WHL ECF Game 4 (April 29) result not yet available at run time — article reflects verified series state through Game 3.

  • Silvertips Are Going to the WHL Championship Final: Tickets, Dates, and What This Moment Means for Everett

    Silvertips Are Going to the WHL Championship Final: Tickets, Dates, and What This Moment Means for Everett

    Featured Snippet: Q: When are the Silvertips WHL Championship Final home games? A: Games 1 and 2 of the 2026 WHL Championship Final will be played at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. The opponent is TBD, pending the Eastern Conference Final between Medicine Hat and Prince Albert.

    Silvertips Are Going to the WHL Championship Final: Tickets, Dates, and What This Moment Means

    It’s happening. The Everett Silvertips are going to the 2026 WHL Championship Final, and the first two games of that series will be played right here — at Angel of the Winds Arena on May 8 and May 9.

    After Tuesday night’s 4-2 series-clinching win over the Penticton Vees in Game 4, the Silvertips have now won 12 of 13 playoff games. They swept the Kelowna Rockets in Round 2 and swept the Penticton Vees in the Western Conference Championship. They’ve been the best team in the WHL all year — 57-8-2-1 in the regular season, the franchise’s best record in over a decade — and the playoff run has only reinforced it.

    The WHL Championship Final is the league’s biggest stage. It’s best-of-seven for the Ed Chynoweth Cup. And for two nights — Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9 — that stage is in Everett, Washington.

    Tickets: How to Get Them

    Tickets for Games 1 and 2 at Angel of the Winds Arena are available through Ticketmaster (search for Everett Silvertips or go directly to ticketmaster.com/everett-silvertips-tickets). The Silvertips are also offering a Playoff Ticket + Drink Deal through their official ticket central page — a smart buy if you’re making a night of it.

    Game times for both May 8 and May 9 are to be announced. Check the Silvertips website and Angel of the Winds Arena for the official tip-off times once they’re confirmed.

    A reminder: playoff games at AOTW have been selling out. Don’t wait on these.

    The Road That Got Them Here

    The 2026 WHL playoff run has been nothing short of remarkable. Let’s recap what this team has actually done:

    Regular Season: 57-8-2-1. The best record the franchise has posted in more than a decade. Top seed in the WHL entering the postseason.

    Round 2 (vs. Kelowna Rockets): Swept 4-0. Landon DuPont’s overtime winner in Game 5 was the punctuation mark on a dominant series. Silvertips advanced with their defense and special teams clicking.

    Western Conference Championship (vs. Penticton Vees): Swept 4-0. The Vees finished with 117 regular-season points and were the B.C. Division champions. The Silvertips handled them without losing a game — including back-to-back comeback wins in Penticton when they were trailing at various points in the final period. Games 1 and 2 were at Angel of the Winds Arena; Games 3 and 4 were on the road in Penticton.

    Playoff record: 12-1.

    The Players Making It Happen

    Matias Vanhanen has been the offensive engine all postseason. He scored the game-winning goal in Tuesday’s series clincher and has been a menace at 5-on-5 throughout the run. Julius Miettinen has been right alongside him — the two together are one of the most dangerous forward pairings left in the WHL playoffs.

    Landon DuPont and Carter Bear have been the two-way backbone of this team — driving play at both ends. DuPont’s playmaking in the WCF was elite. Bear has been physical and relentless in a way that wears opponents down over a series.

    And then there’s Anders Miller in net. His save percentage through the two completed playoff rounds was .948 — a figure that multiple hockey analysts have cited as the best mark for any WHL goaltender with nine or more playoff appearances. He’s not just been good; he’s been historically good.

    Who Will Everett Face?

    The Eastern Conference Championship Final between the Medicine Hat Tigers and the Prince Albert Raiders is still ongoing as of April 28. Medicine Hat are the defending WHL champions — they won the Ed Chynoweth Cup in 2025. Prince Albert finished as the Eastern Conference’s top seed with one of the best records in the league.

    Both are battle-tested, talented teams. Either way, the WHL Championship Final will be a serious challenge for the Silvertips — and that’s what makes it worth watching. Everett is the No. 1 overall seed and will have home ice for the full series, meaning Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 (if necessary) are at Angel of the Winds Arena.

    What This Moment Means for Everett

    Let’s be honest: Everett doesn’t get enough credit for what it’s built at Angel of the Winds Arena. The Silvertips consistently put a competitive team on the ice, consistently develop NHL-caliber players, and consistently give this city a team worth following. A WHL Championship Final appearance — especially one at home — is the kind of moment that reminds the whole Pacific Northwest that this franchise is one of the best in junior hockey.

    If you’ve been meaning to make it to a game all season, May 8 or May 9 is the game to attend. This city deserves to pack Angel of the Winds Arena for the Finals. Get your tickets, wear your silver and red, and let’s send this team a message that Everett has their backs.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When are the WHL Championship Final home games at Angel of the Winds Arena?

    Games 1 and 2 of the 2026 WHL Championship Final will be played at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9, 2026. Game times are to be announced.

    How do I buy WHL Championship Final tickets?

    Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. The Silvertips also offer a Playoff Ticket + Drink Deal through their official ticket page on the Silvertips website.

    Who will the Silvertips face in the WHL Championship Final?

    The opponent is to be determined. The Eastern Conference Final between the Medicine Hat Tigers (defending WHL champions) and the Prince Albert Raiders was still ongoing as of April 28, 2026.

    What is Angel of the Winds Arena’s address?

    Angel of the Winds Arena is located at 2000 Hewitt Ave, Everett, WA 98201. It is accessible via I-5 and Everett Transit bus service.

    What has Anders Miller’s save percentage been in the 2026 playoffs?

    Anders Miller posted a .948 save percentage through the Western Conference rounds of the 2026 WHL playoffs (9+ appearances), which has been cited as the best mark for any WHL goaltender with that many playoff appearances.

    Did the Silvertips win the WHL regular season?

    Yes. The Silvertips finished 57-8-2-1, which was the franchise’s best regular-season record in over 12 years and the top overall record in the WHL entering the 2026 playoffs.

  • Silvertips Sweep Penticton 4-2 in Game 4: Everett Is Going to the WHL Championship Final

    Silvertips Sweep Penticton 4-2 in Game 4: Everett Is Going to the WHL Championship Final

    Featured Snippet: Q: Did the Everett Silvertips advance to the 2026 WHL Championship Final? A: Yes. The Silvertips completed a 4-0 sweep of the Penticton Vees on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, winning Game 4 in Penticton 4-2. Everett will host Games 1-2 of the WHL Championship Final at Angel of the Winds Arena on May 8 and May 9.

    Silvertips Sweep Penticton 4-2 in Game 4: Everett Is Going to the WHL Championship Final

    Say it out loud: The Everett Silvertips are going to the WHL Championship Final.

    On Tuesday night at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, the Silvertips closed out the Western Conference Championship in four straight games, defeating the Penticton Vees 4-2 in Game 4. It wasn’t pretty for two-and-a-half periods — the Vees took an early power-play lead and retook the lead in the second — but when it mattered, Everett did what this team does: they won the third period and they won the series.

    Everett’s 2026 playoff record stands at a staggering 12-1. They swept Kelowna in Round 2 and they’ve just swept the Vees, the B.C. Division champions with 117 regular-season points, in four. The WHL Championship Final begins at Angel of the Winds Arena on Friday, May 8, with Game 2 on Saturday, May 9.

    Game 4 by the Numbers

    Penticton drew first blood. Nolan Stevenson converted a power play at 15:33 of the first period to give the Vees a 1-0 lead — the Silvertips had actually been the cleaner team early but gave up a minor that Penticton cashed in on.

    Everett tied it at 4:01 of the second when Nolan Chastko found the back of the net, but Penticton answered almost immediately — Jacob Kvasnicka, the Vees’ leading playoff scorer, beat the Everett netminder at 5:02 to restore the home side’s lead at 2-1. Heading into the third period down a goal, the Silvertips needed to flip the script for the fourth time this series.

    They did exactly that — and they did it convincingly.

    Jesse Heslop knotted it at 2-2 at the 11:05 mark of the third. Then, just two minutes later, Matias Vanhanen — arguably the best player in this entire playoff run — scored the game-winning goal at 13:05. With the net empty and the Vees desperately pressing for an equalizer, Julius Miettinen sealed it with an insurance empty-netter at 18:13. Final: Everett 4, Penticton 2.

    Shots finished 32-28 in Everett’s favor. The Silvertips went 0-for-2 on the power play while Penticton converted 1-of-5. That the Vees had three more power play opportunities and still lost tells you everything about Everett’s penalty kill and defensive structure right now.

    This Playoff Run Is Historic

    Twelve wins and one loss. Two sweeps. A goals-for and goals-against differential that makes opposing coaches wake up at night. Going back to the regular season, where the Silvertips went 57-8-2-1 — the best record the franchise has posted in 12 years — this team has been elite all year long.

    Matias Vanhanen enters the Championship Final as one of the most dangerous offensive players left in the WHL playoffs. His game-winning goal tonight extended his remarkable postseason to the point where he has been a factor in nearly every significant Silvertips offensive moment. Julius Miettinen has been right alongside him — the two-man engine driving the Tips’ attack all spring.

    Landon DuPont and Carter Bear have combined for a relentless two-way presence throughout the run, and the goaltending — which this desk will continue to highlight — has been the quiet story of this entire playoff. Anders Miller’s save percentage through the Western Conference playoff rounds was .948, which multiple sources have cited as the best mark for any goaltender with nine or more playoff appearances in WHL postseason history. He wasn’t tested heavily in Game 4 (28 shots) but he kept the score where it needed to be until the third period took care of business.

    Who’s Next?

    The Eastern Conference Championship Final between the Medicine Hat Tigers — defending WHL champions — and the Prince Albert Raiders is still ongoing. Medicine Hat won Game 4 Tuesday night to even or extend their series lead (the series was tied 1-1 through Game 2 and has been a back-and-forth battle). Everett will know their opponent within days.

    Either way, the Silvertips are the No. 1 seed in the WHL and will have home-ice advantage for the full Championship Final series. Games 1 and 2 are at Angel of the Winds Arena — 2000 Hewitt Ave, Everett, WA 98201 — on May 8 and May 9. Tip-off times are to be announced.

    If you haven’t gotten your playoff tickets yet, now is the time. You can find them through Ticketmaster at ticketmaster.com/everett-silvertips-tickets, and the Silvertips are offering a Playoff Ticket + Drink Deal for home games this round.

    Everett. WHL Championship Final. Angel of the Winds Arena. May 8. This is the moment.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Did the Silvertips sweep the Penticton Vees?

    Yes. The Everett Silvertips defeated the Penticton Vees in four consecutive games (4-0 series), winning Game 4 by a score of 4-2 on April 28, 2026, at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, BC.

    When are the WHL Championship Final Games at Angel of the Winds Arena?

    Games 1 and 2 of the 2026 WHL Championship Final will be played at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9. Game times are to be announced. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

    Who will the Silvertips face in the WHL Championship Final?

    The opponent is to be determined. The Eastern Conference Final between the Medicine Hat Tigers (defending WHL champions) and the Prince Albert Raiders was still ongoing as of April 28, 2026.

    What is the Silvertips’ 2026 playoff record?

    12-1. Everett swept both the Kelowna Rockets (Round 2) and the Penticton Vees (Western Conference Championship) without losing a series game. Their only playoff loss was one game against Kelowna.

    Who scored for Everett in Game 4?

    Nolan Chastko (2nd period, tie), Jesse Heslop (3rd period, tie), Matias Vanhanen (3rd period, game-winning goal at 13:05), and Julius Miettinen (3rd period, empty-net insurance goal at 18:13).

    How do I buy Silvertips WHL Championship tickets?

    Tickets for home games at Angel of the Winds Arena (May 8 and May 9) are available through Ticketmaster. The Silvertips also offer a Playoff Ticket + Drink Deal package through their official ticket page.

  • Rylan Gould’s Double-OT Winner Sends Silvertips to Penticton Up 2-0: WCF Games 3-4 Are a Sweep Watch Monday and Tuesday

    Rylan Gould’s Double-OT Winner Sends Silvertips to Penticton Up 2-0: WCF Games 3-4 Are a Sweep Watch Monday and Tuesday

    Q: Who scored the double-overtime winner for the Silvertips in Game 2 against Penticton?
    A: Rylan Gould scored both Everett power-play goals on the night, including the double-overtime winner at 6:41 of 2OT, lifting the Silvertips to a 5-4 victory over the Penticton Vees on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Angel of the Winds Arena. The Tips now lead the Western Conference Final 2-0 with the series shifting to Penticton for Games 3 and 4 on Monday and Tuesday.

    If you stayed up Saturday night at Angel of the Winds Arena, you saw something that will live in Silvertips fan memory for a long time: Rylan Gould banging in a loose puck in the crease 6:41 into double overtime to walk Penticton off 5-4 and put Everett up 2-0 in the Western Conference Final.

    If you didn’t stay up — well, fan voice says: you should have. We can talk about the road trip in a minute. First, let’s talk about the night.

    How Game 2 Got to Double OT

    The Vees came in trailing 1-0 in the series after Thursday’s 4-1 Game 1 loss, and they were not playing like a team ready to fly home down 2-0. Penticton tied the game with 56 seconds left in regulation to force overtime, which is the kind of late dagger that can flip the energy in a building. It didn’t.

    Anders Miller was a wall again — the senior goaltender turned aside 29 of 33 in the win, continuing the post-season run that has Silvertips fans whispering about the WHL playoff record book. Heading into Game 3, Miller is 8-0 with a 1.55 goals-against average and a .948 save percentage that’s the best in the league among playoff starters with nine or more games. Pretty silly numbers.

    The Tips outshot the Vees 17-5 in the first overtime period without breaking through. Then 7-0 in the second OT before Gould — already on the board with a power-play deflection of a Landon DuPont point shot at 15:51 of regulation that snapped a six-game goalless drought — got his second of the night on the power play after a Penticton delay-of-game penalty. Loose puck in the crease. Game over. Building loses its mind.

    Julius Miettinen finished the night with three assists. Carter Bear had a goal and two assists. Gould had the only two Tips goals that mattered most.

    The Road Trip: Games 3 and 4 in Penticton

    The series now flies north. Game 3 is Monday, April 27, at 7:05 PM PDT at South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, BC. Game 4 follows Tuesday, April 28, at the same venue, same time. Back-to-back road games, with a chance to either close the series out in a sweep or hand Penticton the lifeline they need to drag this thing back to Everett.

    Sweep math: if the Tips win both, the series ends Tuesday and Everett punches a ticket to the WHL final for the second time in three seasons. They’d then host Game 1 of the championship round at Angel of the Winds Arena, with the Eastern Conference Final still being decided.

    If Penticton steals one — which is exactly what teams down 0-2 at home are supposed to do — the series swings back to Angel of the Winds for a Game 5 on Friday, May 1.

    What to Watch for Penticton’s Push-Back

    The Vees are an expansion team in the WHL sense (this is their first WHL playoff run after years as a BCHL power), and they have not gone away easy this post-season. Jacob Kvasnicka — Penticton’s lone NHL Draft pick and the OT hero from their second-round series win — leads the Vees with 13 playoff points. He’s the guy who can make this series five or more games.

    Penticton’s regular-season game against Everett included a 7-0 Vees road win that ended the Silvertips’ 10-0-1 start to the year. So the Tips know what these guys can do on a hot night. The challenge for Everett: don’t let SOEC become that kind of building Monday or Tuesday.

    What’s at Stake

    The Silvertips are 8-0 in the 2026 playoffs. They’ve outscored opponents 40-9 in those eight games. They’ve held two-game series leads before; what they’ve never done in the Anders Miller era is go 12-0 to a championship. A Penticton sweep this week puts them in position to do exactly that.

    For fans driving up to Penticton (it’s a ~6.5 hour drive from Everett, plus the border crossing): SOEC is in downtown Penticton, walking distance from the lake and several solid breweries. If you’re staying home, the games will be on the WHL Live streaming service.

    For everyone else: Monday night, 7:05 PM PT. Find a TV. The Silvertips are two wins from the WHL final, and Rylan Gould just announced himself as the kind of guy who scores when it matters most.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What was the final score of Silvertips vs. Penticton Game 2?
    Everett 5, Penticton 4 in double overtime on April 25, 2026, at Angel of the Winds Arena.

    Who scored the OT winner?
    Rylan Gould, on a power play 6:41 into the second overtime period after a Penticton delay-of-game penalty. It was his second power-play goal of the night.

    What’s the Silvertips’ playoff record?
    8-0 through two rounds of the 2026 WHL playoffs, with a goal differential of plus-31 (40 goals for, 9 against).

    How is Anders Miller playing?
    Outstanding. He’s 8-0 with a 1.55 GAA and .948 save percentage, the best save percentage among WHL playoff starters with nine or more games played.

    When is Game 3?
    Monday, April 27, 2026, at 7:05 PM PT at South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, BC.

    When is Game 4?
    Tuesday, April 28, 2026, also at 7:05 PM PT at South Okanagan Events Centre.

    Where is Game 5 if the series goes that long?
    Game 5 (if necessary) would be Friday, May 1, 2026, back at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett.

    Can the Silvertips sweep this series in Penticton?
    Yes. Up 2-0 with Games 3 and 4 on the road, a Tips win in both ends the series Tuesday and sends Everett to the WHL final.

  • Silvertips Beat Penticton 5-4 in Double OT: Series Lead 2-0 Heading to South Okanagan

    Silvertips Beat Penticton 5-4 in Double OT: Series Lead 2-0 Heading to South Okanagan

    How did Silvertips Game 2 end? The Everett Silvertips beat the Penticton Vees 5-4 in double overtime at Angel of the Winds Arena on Saturday, April 25, 2026, taking a 2-0 series lead in the WHL Western Conference Final. The winning goal came on a power play in the second overtime period after the Vees had tied the game 4-4 with 56 seconds left in regulation.

    This One Had Everything: Silvertips Take Game 2 of the Western Conference Final 5-4 in Double OT

    If you left Angel of the Winds Arena early Saturday night, you missed one of the best Silvertips games in years. Everett took Game 2 of the Western Conference Final 5-4 over the Penticton Vees in double overtime, and Tips Nation now heads up to the South Okanagan Events Centre with a commanding 2-0 series lead and a team that simply will not lose.

    The shorthand version: Everett built a lead, Penticton clawed all the way back to tie it with 56 seconds left in regulation, the first overtime period was a Vees goalie clinic from AJ Reyelts, and a delay-of-game penalty a few minutes into the second overtime gave the Silvertips a power play. They cashed it in. Series 2-0. Eight playoff games, eight wins. Best run anyone in the building can remember.

    How the Game Got to Double Overtime

    This wasn’t a game where Everett played down to a lower seed. The Vees came in as the second seed in the Western Conference for a reason — they’re a hungry, structured team with NHL-drafted scoring and a goaltender who can steal a game. Saturday night, Reyelts almost did exactly that.

    The Silvertips carried play for big stretches and built a 4-3 lead late in the third. Then, with the goalie pulled, the Vees converted with 56 seconds remaining to send a packed AOTW crowd into a collective groan. That’s the game where seasons either turn or get sealed.

    The first overtime belonged to Reyelts. Everett poured shots on him, the bench was rolling four lines hard, and nothing got through. The way the building was leaning, it felt like the kind of marathon OT where one bad bounce ends a series — for either side.

    The Power Play That Ended It

    The break came a few minutes into the second overtime. Penticton was whistled for delay of game — the kind of call you can’t argue with because the rule book is the rule book — and Everett went to the power play with a chance to end it. They did. The Silvertips converted and the building emptied 5-4 winners, the AOTW horn going off at the kind of hour where weeknight Tips fans are usually already asleep.

    The Silvertips are now 8-0 in the 2026 WHL playoffs. Anders Miller has been the constant in net all postseason, and Saturday added another marathon to his ledger. Landon DuPont and Carter Bear continue to drive offense. Hunter Rudolph, fresh off his Game 1 third-period dagger, was a factor again. Different game-winners every night — that’s what good teams do, and that’s what Everett has been all year.

    Series Now Heads to Penticton

    The series shifts to Penticton’s South Okanagan Events Centre for Games 3 and 4. The Vees are now in the worst spot a 117-point regular-season Everett team can put a 2-seed in: down 0-2, going home to a building that’s loud but has been outscored over the regular-season head-to-head 3-1. Penticton needs to win Games 3 and 4 just to keep this series alive, because no team wants to come back to Everett trying to win three straight in a barn that’s 5-0 at home in these playoffs.

    For the Silvertips, this is the part of a deep run where the math gets interesting. Two more wins in any combination of the next five games and Everett is in the WHL Final, four wins from the Memorial Cup. That’s where the conversation should be after a Game 2 like this — not whether they can do it, but how soon.

    Everett Sports Coverage

    If you’re new to Silvertips coverage on Tygart Media, you can catch up on the playoff run from Round 1 through this Western Conference Final via our running game-by-game coverage of the 2026 WHL playoffs. The Game 1 4-1 recap is here for context on how the Vees series opened, and our pre-series preview lays out the Penticton matchup, NHL-drafted talent, and head-to-head record.

    Game 3 is in Penticton — check the WHL schedule for puck drop. Watch parties at downtown Everett spots will be back if Game 5 returns home next week. The way this team is playing, you want to see every minute of it.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What was the final score of Silvertips Game 2 vs Penticton?

    Everett 5, Penticton 4 in double overtime at Angel of the Winds Arena on April 25, 2026.

    Where does the Silvertips-Vees series stand?

    Everett leads the best-of-seven WHL Western Conference Final 2-0. The series shifts to Penticton’s South Okanagan Events Centre for Games 3 and 4.

    How did the Silvertips win Game 2?

    Everett scored the game-winner on a power play in the second overtime period after Penticton was assessed a delay-of-game penalty. The Vees had tied it 4-4 with 56 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.

    What is the Silvertips playoff record in 2026?

    Everett is 8-0 in the 2026 WHL playoffs through Game 2 of the Western Conference Final.

    When are Games 3 and 4 of the WHL Western Conference Final?

    Games 3 and 4 are at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, BC. Check WHL.ca and Silvertips official channels for confirmed puck-drop times.

    Who is Everett’s goaltender in the 2026 playoffs?

    Anders Miller has been Everett’s starter throughout the 2026 playoff run, posting historically strong save percentages over the team’s first eight playoff games.

  • Silvertips Open Western Conference Final at Home Tonight: Anders Miller Is Chasing a WHL Playoff Record

    Silvertips Open Western Conference Final at Home Tonight: Anders Miller Is Chasing a WHL Playoff Record

    When is Silvertips vs. Penticton Vees Game 1? Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 7:05 p.m. PT at Angel of the Winds Arena in downtown Everett. Game 2 goes Saturday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. PT, also at home. It is the WHL Western Conference Final — one round from the Ed Chynoweth Cup.

    Tonight is the biggest game at Angel of the Winds Arena since the last time the Everett Silvertips played for a Western Conference title — and this is not the same roster that last got here. This roster is already carrying numbers the Western Hockey League has never seen.

    The Silvertips host the Penticton Vees at 7:05 p.m. PT in Game 1 of the WHL Western Conference Final. Game 2 follows Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. Both games are at Angel of the Winds Arena, and both are sellouts of the best kind — Everett fans have watched this team roll to a 7-0 playoff record and the best regular season in franchise history. Now they get to watch two home games against the team that earned the right to try to end the run.

    Anders Miller is writing a WHL record book

    The story tonight, for anyone watching closely, is Anders Miller in the Everett net. Miller has posted a .948 save percentage through two rounds of the playoffs. That is the highest mark by any WHL goaltender with nine or more playoff games in league history. He stopped 30 of 31 shots in the Game 5 overtime clincher against Kelowna. He made 37 saves the night before that. He does not look like a 19-year-old kid in a playoff run — he looks like the steadiest goalie in the WHL right now.

    If Miller keeps this up, Everett has a realistic shot at its third WHL championship. That is how much he has raised the team’s ceiling.

    DuPont, Bear, and an attack the Vees have not seen before

    Landon DuPont leads all WHL defensemen with 13 playoff points. His overtime winner 29 seconds into extra time in Game 5 against Kelowna is the kind of moment that gets replayed for a decade. Carter Bear has been just as important — his shorthanded goal broke open Game 5 in the third period, and he has been Everett’s most consistent two-way forward all spring. Matias Vanhanen, the Finnish import who was not supposed to be a top-line option this season, leads the team with 14 playoff points and has been the discovery of the playoffs.

    Everett has outscored opponents 40-9 across its seven playoff games. Nine goals against. Seven games. That is the math of a team that is not just winning, but suffocating.

    What the Vees bring

    Penticton is not a fluke. They finished second in the Western Conference and swept a competitive series to get here. Their lone NHL-drafted player, Kvasnicka, has 13 playoff points of his own. Regular season head-to-head, Everett took the series 3-1, but one of those Penticton wins was a 7-0 shutout of the Silvertips — proof that when the Vees get their game clicking, they can embarrass anyone. Penticton has publicly said they are “not intimidated” coming into the series. Good. Everett fans want the real thing.

    How to watch (and where to be)

    If you have tickets, doors at Angel of the Winds Arena open early and the building has been loud all playoffs — get there for warmups. If you don’t, the game airs on the WHL’s broadcast partners, and most Everett sports bars downtown and on Broadway will have it on. Saturday’s Game 2 is a better get-there-early window if tonight sells through.

    The full Western Conference Final schedule runs through early May if it goes seven games. Games 3 and 4 are in Penticton (April 28 and 29), and any Games 5, 6, or 7 return to Everett for the later dates.

    Why tonight matters beyond tonight

    This is the farthest Everett has been in the playoffs since 2018. The franchise has won two WHL titles — 2018 was the last run that carried this much weight — and the Ed Chynoweth Cup has not lived in Everett since 2018. Beat Penticton and Everett is four wins away from another one. Lose at home tonight and the road to the final gets a lot steeper.

    But with Miller playing the best hockey of his life, DuPont quarterbacking the back end, and Bear and Vanhanen driving the offense, there’s a real argument that this Silvertips team is the best Everett has iced in a decade. Tonight, we start to find out.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What time is Silvertips vs. Penticton Vees Game 1?

    Puck drop is 7:05 p.m. PT on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Angel of the Winds Arena in downtown Everett.

    When is Game 2?

    Game 2 is Saturday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. PT, also at Angel of the Winds Arena.

    What is the Everett Silvertips’ playoff record so far?

    The Silvertips are 7-0 in the 2026 WHL Playoffs, having swept Seattle in Round 1 and beaten Kelowna 4-1 in Round 2. They have outscored opponents 40-9 across those seven games.

    Who is Anders Miller?

    Anders Miller is Everett’s starting goaltender. His .948 playoff save percentage through two rounds is the highest mark by any WHL goalie with nine or more playoff games in league history.

    Where is Angel of the Winds Arena?

    2000 Hewitt Ave. in downtown Everett, Washington — one block east of the future downtown stadium site.

    What happens if the Silvertips win the Western Conference Final?

    They advance to the WHL Championship — the Ed Chynoweth Cup Final — against the Eastern Conference champion. Everett’s last WHL title was 2018.

  • Silvertips Open the Western Conference Final at Home Thursday Night — Everything You Need Before Puck Drop

    Silvertips Open the Western Conference Final at Home Thursday Night — Everything You Need Before Puck Drop

    Q: When is Silvertips WCF Game 1 vs the Penticton Vees?
    A: Game 1 of the WHL Western Conference Final is Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 7:05 PM PT at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett. Game 2 follows Saturday, April 25 at 6:30 PM PT, also in Everett. Everett enters the series 7-0 in the playoffs after sweeping past Tri-City and dispatching Kelowna 4-1 in Round 2.

    Silvertips Open the Western Conference Final at Home Thursday Night — Here’s Everything You Need Before Puck Drop

    This is the part of the playoff run where Everett gets to find out exactly how good it is. The Silvertips are perfect through two rounds. The Penticton Vees just punched the last ticket to the Western Conference Final after eliminating Prince George in six. The two best teams in the WHL’s Western Conference start their series Thursday night in Everett — and if you’ve been waiting for a reason to get to Angel of the Winds Arena this spring, this is it.

    Game 1 is Thursday, April 23 at 7:05 PM PT. Game 2 is Saturday, April 25 at 6:30 PM PT. Both at home. The series then shifts to Penticton for Games 3 and 4 on Monday and Tuesday. If a Game 5 is needed, it comes back to Everett.

    How Everett Got Here

    The Silvertips finished the regular season with 117 points on a 57-8-2-1 record — the franchise’s best regular-season showing in 12 years. Then they swept Tri-City. Then they took out Kelowna in five games, with Landon DuPont’s overtime winner 29 seconds into OT closing out Game 5. They’re 7-0 in the postseason.

    Through those seven games, they’ve outscored opponents 40-9. That isn’t a typo. The defense has been a brick wall and the offense has been opportunistic when it needs to be — and a sledgehammer when it doesn’t.

    The Goalie Matchup Is the Story

    Anders Miller has been ridiculous. His .948 save percentage in this postseason is the best in WHL history for any goaltender with nine or more playoff games. His goals-against average sits at 1.55 — the league lead. He held Kelowna to one goal in Game 5 with 30 saves on 31 shots. He’s the most important reason Everett is here.

    Penticton’s AJ Reyelts is no slouch either. He’s posted a 2.44 GAA and a .914 save percentage in the playoffs. And the part that should make Silvertips fans pay attention: Reyelts went 1-1-1-0 with a .929 save percentage against Everett in the regular season. He has seen these guys, and he has shut them down before.

    The Players to Watch

    For Everett, the names you already know are doing what they do. Landon DuPont leads all WHL defensemen in playoff scoring with 13 points (3G, 10A) — and his shot from the point is the kind of weapon that decides series. Matias Vanhanen has 14 points (7G, 7A) and has been Everett’s most consistent forward in the postseason. Carter Bear has 10 playoff goals and a habit of scoring shorthanded when the team needs it most. Julius Miettinen has eight playoff goals — second most in the entire postseason — and he’s also a Seattle Kraken prospect, which means there are NHL eyes on every shift.

    For Penticton, the load is being carried by Jacob Kvasnicka (13 points, 7G, 6A), Ryden Evers (11 points), and Louie Wehmann (11 points). Kvasnicka, notably, is the only Vees skater drafted by an NHL club. Evers is also a Seattle Kraken prospect, so Saturday and Thursday nights are essentially a Kraken pipeline showcase between the two benches.

    The Regular-Season History Gives the Vees a Little Hope

    This isn’t a series Penticton should walk into terrified. The two teams played four times in the regular season. Everett won the season series 3-1, but the one Vees win was a 7-0 road shutout that handed the Silvertips their first regulation loss after Everett opened the year 10-0-1. The teams scored 15 goals each across the four meetings.

    So Penticton has both proof of concept and proof of vulnerability — they know what it looks like when the Silvertips lose, because they’re the ones who made it happen.

    What’s at Stake

    The winner of this series goes to the WHL Championship — the Ed Chynoweth Cup Final — and from there to the Memorial Cup. Everett hasn’t been to a Conference Final since the 2017-18 season. They haven’t won a league championship since 2017. The pieces are all in place this year, and the bracket has set up about as cleanly as a top seed could ask for.

    For the Vees, this is their first WHL Conference Final since making the jump from junior A to the WHL. A team that didn’t even exist at this level a few years ago is now two series away from a Memorial Cup berth.

    Getting to the Game

    Doors at Angel of the Winds Arena open about an hour before puck drop. The arena is at 2000 Hewitt Avenue in downtown Everett, with paid garage parking next door and street parking around the perimeter. Tickets for Game 1 and Game 2 are still available through the Silvertips’ official site and Ticketmaster as of Wednesday night, though lower-bowl options are getting thin for Game 2.

    If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to come back to a Silvertips game, this is it. The team hasn’t been this good in over a decade. The arena is going to be loud. And the Western Conference Final only happens here every few seasons — when it does, you don’t miss it.

    The Full Series Schedule

    • Game 1: Thursday, April 23 — Penticton at Everett, 7:05 PM PT, Angel of the Winds Arena
    • Game 2: Saturday, April 25 — Penticton at Everett, 6:30 PM PT, Angel of the Winds Arena
    • Game 3: Monday, April 27 — Everett at Penticton
    • Game 4: Tuesday, April 28 — Everett at Penticton
    • Game 5 (if necessary): Friday, May 1 — Penticton at Everett
    • Game 6 (if necessary): Sunday, May 3 — Everett at Penticton
    • Game 7 (if necessary): Tuesday, May 5 — Penticton at Everett

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What time is Game 1?
    Game 1 is Thursday, April 23 at 7:05 PM PT at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett.

    Where can I buy tickets?
    Tickets are available through everettsilvertips.com and Ticketmaster. Lower-bowl seats for Game 2 are getting limited — check early.

    Who are the Penticton Vees?
    The Vees are a relatively new WHL franchise that made the jump from junior A. They beat Prince George in six games to advance to the Western Conference Final.

    What is Anders Miller’s playoff save percentage?
    .948 — the highest save percentage in WHL playoff history for a goaltender with nine or more games played.

    Who leads the Silvertips in playoff scoring?
    Matias Vanhanen leads with 14 points (7G, 7A). Landon DuPont leads all WHL defensemen in playoff scoring with 13 points.

    Can the Silvertips win the Memorial Cup this year?
    They have to win this series first, then the WHL Championship, but they enter the Conference Final as the strongest team statistically in the entire CHL postseason.

    When was the last time Everett made the Western Conference Final?
    The 2017-18 season. The last WHL Championship was 2017.

    Is there a Game 5 in Everett?
    Yes, if the series is tied or close after Game 4. Game 5 would be Friday, May 1 at Angel of the Winds Arena.

  • Silvertips vs. Penticton Vees Western Conference Final Preview: Two Games at Home This Weekend

    Silvertips vs. Penticton Vees Western Conference Final Preview: Two Games at Home This Weekend

    When and where is Silvertips vs. Penticton Vees Game 1?
    Game 1 of the 2026 WHL Western Conference Final is Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 7:05 PM PT at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett. Game 2 is Saturday, April 25, at 6:30 PM PT, also in Everett. The Silvertips host the expansion Penticton Vees in a best-of-seven series, with the winner advancing to the WHL Final and a Memorial Cup berth in Kelowna.

    Two wins away from the WHL Final. Four wins away from the Memorial Cup in Kelowna. And it all starts Thursday night at Angel of the Winds Arena.

    The Everett Silvertips open the Western Conference Final at home against the Penticton Vees on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 7:05 PM PT. Game 2 follows Saturday, April 25, at 6:30 PM PT. Both games are at Angel of the Winds Arena in downtown Everett, and if you’ve been waiting all season for the playoff run to come home, this is the weekend to be there.

    How the Silvertips Got Here

    Everett’s road to the Western Conference Final started with the best regular season a WHL team has posted in more than a decade. The Silvertips finished 57-8-2-1 with 117 points — the most a WHL club has recorded in 12 years — and captured the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as the league’s regular-season champion.

    They carried that form straight into the playoffs. Round 1 against the Prince George Cougars was a sweep. Round 2 against the Kelowna Rockets went five games and ended with one of the most memorable goals of the Silvertips’ season: defenseman Landon DuPont walking off Kelowna with an overtime winner 29 seconds into the extra frame, sending Everett through 4-1 in the series.

    Carter Bear broke the deadlock in that Game 5 with a shorthanded goal in the third period. Raymond Miller stopped 30 of 31 shots. And DuPont — a finalist for WHL Defenseman of the Year — added another chapter to what is becoming a trophy-case season.

    Meet the Penticton Vees

    The Vees are the first-year WHL expansion team, and nothing about their first postseason has looked tentative. They beat the Prince George Cougars in six games in the Western Conference Semifinal, closing out the series in overtime on a goal from Jacob Kvasnicka, a New York Islanders prospect and Penticton’s only NHL draft pick.

    Head-to-head in the regular season, Everett took three of four from Penticton, including both games in Penticton at the South Okanagan Events Centre. DuPont led the Silvertips scoring against the Vees with six points in those four games. Kvasnicka piled up eight points (1 goal, 7 assists) against Everett and is the guy Silvertips fans should be watching every shift.

    But regular season head-to-head means exactly what it always means in playoff hockey: a little, and not nearly as much as you’d like. The Vees already took down a top team in Prince George. They’ve earned the right to be called a threat.

    Silvertips Players to Watch

    Through two playoff rounds, Carter Bear and Landon DuPont each had 10 goals in the 2026 WHL playoffs — among the league leaders. Bear’s six-goal outburst in Round 1 against Kelowna was the kind of performance that rewrites an NHL Draft evaluation in real time. DuPont has been a complete player: offense, defense, and now overtime heroics.

    Goaltender Raymond Miller has been steady through two rounds, including the 30-save performance in Game 5 that held a 2-1 lead against Kelowna when it mattered most. And shout-out to Steve Hamilton, a finalist for WHL Coach of the Year, who has this team playing the best hockey in the league from October through April.

    What’s on the Line

    The winner of this series heads to the WHL Final against either Prince Albert or Medicine Hat. The winner of that series heads to Kelowna for the 2026 Memorial Cup — the Canadian Hockey League championship and the biggest stage in junior hockey. The Silvertips have been to the WHL Final before. They have not won a Memorial Cup. A 117-point regular season and two decisive playoff rounds say this is the year to finish the job.

    Tickets, Parking, and Getting to the Game

    Game 1 and Game 2 tickets are available through Ticketmaster and the Angel of the Winds Arena box office. Puck drop is 7:05 PM PT Thursday, 6:30 PM PT Saturday. The arena is at 2000 Hewitt Avenue in downtown Everett, and downtown parking fills up early on big playoff nights — plan to be there by 6:15 PM for Thursday’s game if you want to grab a pre-game bite at one of the Hewitt Avenue spots first.

    If you’re new to Silvertips playoffs: the atmosphere at Angel of the Winds Arena on a big night is one of the best sports environments in the Puget Sound region. Loud. Local. Kids in hockey jerseys. The orange towels come out. If you’ve been telling yourself all year that you’d get to a game, this is the one.

    Series Schedule

    • Game 1: Thursday, April 23 — Penticton at Everett, 7:05 PM PT
    • Game 2: Saturday, April 25 — Penticton at Everett, 6:30 PM PT
    • Game 3: Wednesday, April 29 — Everett at Penticton (if necessary)
    • Game 4: Friday, May 1 — Everett at Penticton (if necessary)
    • Game 5: Saturday, May 2 — Penticton at Everett (if necessary)
    • Game 6: Wednesday, May 6 — Everett at Penticton (if necessary)
    • Game 7: Friday, May 8 — Penticton at Everett (if necessary)

    Schedule per Silvertips and WHL. Game times for later games in the series may shift slightly; confirm before heading out.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Who do the Silvertips play in the Western Conference Final?

    The expansion Penticton Vees, who won Round 2 against the Prince George Cougars 4-2 on a Jacob Kvasnicka overtime goal.

    Where is Game 1?

    Angel of the Winds Arena, 2000 Hewitt Avenue, Everett, WA. Puck drop Thursday, April 23 at 7:05 PM PT.

    What was Everett’s regular season record?

    57-8-2-1, 117 points — the best WHL regular season in 12 years and the 2025-26 Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy.

    Who should I watch on the Silvertips?

    Carter Bear and Landon DuPont each had 10 playoff goals through two rounds. DuPont is a finalist for WHL Defenseman of the Year. Raymond Miller in net has been sharp.

    What’s at stake?

    The series winner goes to the WHL Final for a chance at the 2026 Memorial Cup in Kelowna — the Canadian Hockey League championship.

    How did Everett and Penticton fare in the regular season?

    Everett won three of four meetings, including both games in Penticton. DuPont led Everett scoring; Kvasnicka led Penticton.

    Where can I buy tickets?

    Ticketmaster or the Angel of the Winds Arena box office. Both Thursday and Saturday tickets are on sale now.