The 2023 WHL Eastern Conference Championship presented by Nutrien features the Winnipeg ICE and Saskatoon Blades, with Game 1 of the best-of-seven series slated for Friday, April 28 in Winnipeg (6:05 p.m. CT, Wayne Fleming Arena).
The ICE, Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy winners as WHL Regular Season Champions, advanced to the WHL Eastern Conference Championship presented by Nutrien after a First Round sweep of the Medicine Hat Tigers and six-game series win versus the Moose Jaw Warriors.
The Blades are into the WHL Eastern Conference Championship presented by Nutrien for the first time since 1994, having earned seven-game series wins versus the Regina Pats and Red Deer Rebels. On April 25, Saskatoon became only the third Club in WHL history to win a best-of-seven series after losing the first three games.
2023 WHL EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY NUTRIEN SCHEDULE
Game | Date | Away | Home | Time | |
1 | April 28, 2023 | Saskatoon Blades | Winnipeg ICE | 6:05 p.m. CT | |
2 | April 29, 2023 | Saskatoon Blades | Winnipeg ICE | 4:05 p.m. CT | # |
3 | May 2, 2023 | Winnipeg ICE | Saskatoon Blades | 7:00 p.m. MT | |
4 | May 3, 2023 | Winnipeg ICE | Saskatoon Blades | 7:00 p.m. MT | |
5 | May 5, 2023 | Saskatoon Blades | Winnipeg ICE | TBD | * |
6 | May 7, 2023 | Winnipeg ICE | Saskatoon Blades | 4:00 p.m. MT | * |
7 | May 9, 2923 | Saskatoon Blades | Winnipeg ICE | 7:05 p.m. CT | * |
* – if necessary
# – subject to change
Seattle earned the top seed in the Western Conference playoff bracket after winning a franchise-record 54 games during the regular season. The Thunderbirds advanced to the WHL Western Conference Championship presented by Nutrien after four-game sweeps over the Kelowna Rockets and Prince George Cougars.
Kamloops, who will host the 2023 Memorial Cup presented by Kia from May 25 – June 4, is also undefeated in the 2023 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien following four-game sweeps of the Vancouver Giants and Portland Winterhawks.
2023 WHL WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY NUTRIEN SCHEDULE
Game | Date | Away | Home | Time | |
1 | April 29, 2023 | Kamloops Blazers | Seattle Thunderbirds | 6:05 p.m. PT | |
2 | April 30, 2023 | Kamloops Blazers | Seattle Thunderbirds | 5:05 p.m. PT | |
3 | May 2, 2023 | Seattle Thunderbirds | Kamloops Blazers | 7:00 p.m. PT | |
4 | May 4, 2023 | Seattle Thunderbirds | Kamloops Blazers | 7:00 p.m. PT | |
5 | May 6, 2023 | Kamloops Blazers | Seattle Thunderbirds | 6:05 p.m. PT | * |
6 | May 8, 2023 | Seattle Thunderbirds | Kamloops Blazers | 7:00 p.m. PT | * |
7 | May 9, 2923 | Kamloops Blazers | Seattle Thunderbirds | 7:05 p.m. PT | * |
* – if necessary
As presenting partner of the 2023 WHL Playoffs, Nutrien will be visible throughout WHL arenas in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest United States, including as the official helmet entitlement sponsor of WHL Officials. Nutrien will also serve as the official helmet entitlement sponsor of competing players during the 2023 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien.
WHL fans can look forward to unique and exciting promotions delivered by Nutrien during the WHL’s Eastern Conference Championship Series and Western Conference Championship Series, as well as during the 2023 WHL Championship Series.