Portland's Pair in 30 Seconds; Send Hawks to Western Conference Final Again

4/22/2025

(Everett, WA)

The Portland Winterhawks for the second straight year advanced to the WHL Western Conference Final with a win over the Everett Silvertips. The Hawks outlasted the Tips in game 7 by a final tally of 4-2. Portland saw goals from Kyle Chyzowski, Hudson Darby, Kyle McDonough, and Diego Buttazzoni. Everett scored their two goals off tallies from Landon Dupont and Lukas Kaplan

This series was a rematch of last season’s Western Conference Semifinal won by Portland in a sweep en route to a WHL Final appearance.

This year’s seven game series began with Everett coming away with a pair of overtime victories in games 1 and 2. Game 1 saw Jesse Heslop score the overtime winner and game 2 ended with an overtime game winning goal from Julius Miettinen. The two overtime wins put Everett up in the series 2-0. Portland countered by winning three straight, highlighted by a wild 6-5 overtime win in game 4. Everett responded in game 6 with a resounding 8-4 win. Which set the stage for the decisive seventh game from Angel of the Winds Arena from Everett.

Portland turned to Ondrej Stebetak in goal while Everett started Raiden LeGall between the pipes.

The first period had Everett outshoot Portland 12-7, but no shots went in. Everett’s chances were mainly from a pair of power plays. Portland were unable to convert on their own power play in the opening 20 minutes.

The Silvertips Landon Dupont is one of three players in players in WHL History to be recognized as having “exceptional player status”. The Tips star defenseman slid a loose puck past Ondrej Stebetak at 9:57 of the period. Everett seemed to be destined take the lead into the second intermission. Portland captain Kyle Chyzowski danced through Everett defense and by Raiden LeGall to tie the game with 39 seconds left in the middle period. Shot volume rose in the middle stanza with Portland outshooting Everett 18-16. 20 minutes of regulation were all that separated one team from the semifinals.

Everett was able to capture upper hand early in the third period. Lukas Kaplan’s snap shot from the left point gave Everett a 2-1 lead early at 3:02.

Portland’s veteran experience speaks for itself. A team that went to the league final would not go down easily. They find ways to claw back into games out of nowhere. It all started at the 7:37 mark when Hudson Darby’s below goal line trapezoid bid went off Raiden LeGall and in the net. Shortly thereafter, they were in again, Kyle McDonough crashed LeGall’s net on a rush set up by the recently scoring Darby. The goals came 30 seconds apart to put Portland in front.

Everett in the closing seconds pulled goaltender Raiden LeGall, while shorthanded after being called for too many men. Portland’s Diego Buttazzoni sealed the win with an empty net power play goal, and subsequently advance the Hawks.

For the Winterhawks, this marks their second straight appearance to the Western Conference Final.

Portland Head Coach Kyle Gustafson recalled the final moments of the game as memory that would “live forever”.

The Hawks will play the Spokane Chiefs in the third round. With Chiefs winning their series against the Victoria Royals in six games, edging the Royals 5-4 in overtime in game six on a goal by Andrew Cristall.

Game 1 between Spokane and Portland is scheduled for Friday night at Spokane Arena.