Andrew Cristall doubled his previous single-game career high in playoff scoring with a six-point (2g, 4a) effort against the Vancouver Giants on Saturday night.
Cristall’s Spokane Chiefs dominated the Giants 9-4, eliminating them from the first round of the WHL playoffs in just five games. The 20-year-old forward exploded for nine points (5g, 4a) in his last two games, perhaps powered by the frustration of serving a one-game suspension for cross-checking in Game 3.
The 2023 second-round pick of the Washington Capitals put up 12 points (7g, 5a) in the four total games of the series he played in. His first scoring contribution on Saturday was a power-play one-timer that squeaked through goaltender Burke Hood just 4:35 into regulation.
After then earning the primary assist on Berkly Catton’s first-period goal, Cristall was again the main playmaker on linemate Shea Van Olm’s first of the night. Cristall provided the final pass on a tic-tac-toe finish in front of the net.
Cristall was back on the scoresheet just 3:05 later, notching what could be his prettiest assist of the year. After taking a pass from Catton along the right boards in Vancouver’s zone, Cristall made a spin-o-rama move and, in the same motion, sent a pinpoint pass to a net-crashing Van Olm.
Cristall would later add his seventh goal of the series and another assist on a Rasmus Ekstrom goal. He was named the Second Star of the Game for his performance.
The Chiefs’ top line of Cristall, Catton, and Van Olm combined for 18 points (7g, 11a) in the series clincher. Spokane moves on to the second round, where they’ll take on the winner of the first-round series between the Prince George Cougars and Portland Winterhawks.
Cristall finished the regular season as the WHL’s leading scorer, posting 132 points (48g, 84a) in 57 games. He will turn pro at the end of Spokane’s playoff run, likely joining the AHL’s Hershey Bears as a playoff black ace for the second year in a row.
