Spokane, WA - Berkly Catton and the Spokane Chiefs opened the Western Conference Finals with authority, cruising to a commanding 10-4 victory over Tyson Jugnauth’s Portland Winterhawks on home ice.

Catton wasted no time making an impact, setting up Spokane’s opening goal just 38 seconds into the game. The play was assisted by WHL Player of the Year nominee and regular-season scoring leader Andrew Cristall, along with Shea Van Olm.

Catton, a top prospect of the Seattle Kraken, was named the game’s first star and earned WHL Top Performer of the Night honors with one goal and three assists. He now matches the 32-point playoff total set by fellow Kraken prospect Jagger Firkus during the 2024 postseason.

Despite the lopsided score, Jugnauth provided a bright spot for Portland, netting his fourth goal of the playoffs at the 6:00 mark of the first period to cut Spokane’s early lead to 2-1. The league’s top-scoring defenseman in the playoffs, Jugnauth continues to be a key offensive force for the Winterhawks.

Spokane’s offense was relentless, with nine different players finding the back of the net in the blowout win.

The series continues with Game 2 on Sunday, April 27 at 5:05 PM, once again at Spokane Arena.

Related

Kraken's Second Round Pick Joins Firebirds On ATO Seattle Kraken prospect Julius Miettinen has joined the Coachella Valley Firebirds on an amateur tryout, according to the AHL's transaction page.

Prospect News: Miettinen Strikes Again As Silvertips Force Game 7 Against Winterhawks <b>Portland, OR</b> - It was do-or-die in Portland as Kraken prospects clashed in a high-stakes WHL semifinal showdown. With their season on the line, the Everett Silvertips stormed into Veterans Memorial Coliseum—where they hadn’t won a playoff game since 2018—and stunned the Winterhawks with a dominant 8–4 victory to force a decisive Game 7.