Silvertips eliminate host Rockets, advance to Memorial Cup semifinal
Photo by Steve Dunsmoor / CHL
KELOWNA, B.C. — Kayd Ruedig and Jaxon Pisani scored 25 seconds apart in the first period, Anders Miller recorded a 28-save shutout, and the Everett Silvertips eliminated the host Kelowna Rockets with a 4-0 victory Wednesday night in the final round robin game of the Memorial Cup at Prospera Place.
The win sends Everett into Friday’s semifinal against the Chicoutimi Saguenéens, while the Kitchener Rangers await the semifinal winner in Sunday’s championship game after finishing undefeated in the round robin.
Kelowna entered the night needing a win to keep its tournament hopes alive but quickly found itself chasing the game after Everett’s first-period surge.
Ruedig opened the scoring at 7:22 of the first period with a shot from the half wall that slipped past Kelowna starter Josh Banini. Just 25 seconds later, Pisani doubled the lead with a rising shot from the point that beat Banini glove side.
The Rockets thought they had cut the deficit in half midway through the opening period, but the goal was overturned after video review determined the puck had been kicked into the net.
Everett carried a 2-0 lead into the intermission before Matias Vanhanen extended the advantage early in the second period. The Silvertips forward forced a turnover along the wall, drove wide, and snapped a shot far side to make it 3-0 at 1:03.
The goal ended Banini’s night after he allowed three goals on 11 shots for a .727 save percentage.
Harrison Boettiger entered in relief and helped steady Kelowna, stopping 21 of the 22 shots he faced, including several key saves during dangerous Everett shorthanded rushes. The Rockets backup finished with a .955 save percentage.
Kelowna pushed for a breakthrough in the third period but could not solve Miller, who remained sharp throughout to complete the shutout.
Carter Bear sealed the victory at 13:07 of the third period, converting a loose puck in the slot off the cycle to extend the lead to 4-0. Vanhanen and Ruedig collected assists on the goal.
Miller finished with a perfect 1.000 save percentage for Everett, which eliminated Kelowna for the second time this postseason after previously knocking the Rockets out of the WHL playoffs.
Ruedig, a Humboldt, Saskatchewan product eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, opened the scoring for Everett, while Pisani — from Sturgeon County, Alberta — added the second goal.
The Rockets dressed nine Alberta-born players, including five from Calgary and one from Edmonton. Everett featured eight Alberta-born players, including three from Calgary and two from Edmonton.