A preview of the first-round playoff series between the Everett Silvertips and the Vancouver Giants.

The three-vs-six matchup in the Western Conference will feature the Everett Silvertips taking on the Vancouver Giants. The last time these two teams met in the postseason was 2022, when the Giants pulled off the rare one-vs-eighth upset, defeating the Silvertips in six games. While there were close games between these two this year, Everett won the season series 3-1, which included victories in the first three matchups.

Everett enters this series as the favourite after finishing second in the U.S. Division with 95 points. Led by Ben Hemmerling, Austin Roest and Dominik Rymon, they have one of the most dangerous offences in the WHL, finishing fourth in the league with 296. The biggest question now is whether they can tune out the off-ice distractions surrounding head coach and general manager Dennis Williams leaving for the NCCA or if it will affect their performance on the ice. 

For Vancouver, the main focus will be Brett Mirwald and whether he can steal a series for the Giants. Mirwald was recently named to the B.C. Division's First All-Star Team and led the league in saves this season. An experienced group featuring multiple players who were part of the 2022 group that upset the Silvertips, they need to play a physical game and stay out of the box if they want to succeed. 

Prediction: Everett in 6

Playoff Schedule

Game 1: Friday, March 29, 7:05 p.m. PT @ Everett
Game 2: Saturday, March 30, 6:05 p.m. PT @ Everett
Game 3: Wednesday, April 3, 7:00 p.m. PT @ Vancouver
Game 4: Friday, April 5, 7:00 p.m. PT @ Vancouver
*Game 5: Sunday, April 7, 4:05 p.m. PT @ Everett
*Game 6: Tuesday, April 9, 7:00 p.m. PT @ Vancouver
*Game 7: Wednesday, April 10, 7:05 p.m. PT @ Everett

Season Series

Everett Silvertips: 3-1-0-0
Vancouver Giants: 1-3-0-0

Everett 3 @ Vancouver 4 (Feb 3, 2024) Final
Everett 8 @ Vancouver 7 (Dec 9, 2023) Final
Vancouver 1 @ Everett 4 (Dec 8, 2023) Final
Vancouver 2 @ Everett 6 (Nov 11, 2023) Final

Leading Scorers During Season Series:

Everett Silvertips:

1) Dominik Rymon: 4 GP, 5 G, 6 A 11 P
2) Ben Hemmerling: 4 GP, 4 G, 7 A, 11 P
3) Eric Jamieson: 4 GP, 2 G, 3 A, 5 P
4) Teague Patton: 3 GP, 0 G, 5 A, 5 P
5) Julius Miettinen: 4 GP, 1 G, 3 A, 4 P

Vancouver Giants:

1) Ty Halaburda: 4 GP, 1 G, 6 A, 7 P
2) Jaden Lipinski: 4 GP, 3 G, 2 A, 5 P
3) Mazden Leslie: 4 GP, 0 G, 5 A, 5 P
4) Tyler Thorpe: 4 GP, 3 G, 1 A, 4 P 
5) Samuel Honzek: 3 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 3 P

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