Two second round Game 7s, can we make it three?

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on April 22, 2025.

sports@medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

Western Hockey League fans are getting their money’s worth in the second round.

There are two decisive Game 7s on the slate to wrap up the second round and one Game 6, with more than a possibility of a Game 7 coming from that series as well.

The Everett Silvertips host the Portland Winterhawks for Game 7 of their second-round series, and a the Spokane Chiefs, holding a 3-2 series lead, host the Victoria Royals for Game 6.

A Royals win and Game 7 goes Wednesday, the same night the Calgary Hitmen host the Lethbridge Hurricanes for a decisive Game 7 in the lone active Eastern conference series. The Medicine Hat Tigers are the only team who have advanced to the conference finals, awaiting the result of the Lethbridge-Calgary series after sweeping the Prince Albert Raiders in the second round.

The Silvertips and Winterhawks have traded wins in pairs all series long, with Everett winning Games 1 and 2 in overtime (3-2 on April 11 and 4-3 on April 12).

Portland responded with back-to-back home wins, a 3-1 win April 15 and a 6-4 overtime win the next night. The Winterhawks grabbed a brief 3-2 series lead with a 4-3 win in Everett on April 18 before the Silvertips responded with an 8-4 win April 19 to force Game 7 tonight.

Spokane has two chances to win the second-round series at home, leading the Royals 3-2 win Game 6 tonight and if needed, Game 7 on Wednesday. The Chiefs took Game 1 of the series 4-3 in double overtime on April 13 with Victoria rebounding the next night for a 5-1 win.

The next three games, all in Victoria, saw the Royals win 4-3 on April 16 before Spokane rattled off a 9-6 win April 18 and a 5-4 overtime win the next night for the series lead.

In the East, the Hurricanes and Hitmen were unable to record a win at home until Game 5 of the series. Lethbridge took Games 1 and 2 in Calgary on April 10 (4-0) and April 12 (2-1). Calgary responded, winning Game 3 (5-3) and Game 4 (3-2 OT) on April 15 and 16.

The Hitmen took Game 5 at home in comeback fashion, 6-5 on April 18, forcing Lethbridge to win at home. They won 5-1 Saturday, forcing the decisive game Wednesday.

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