The Portland Winterhawks continue to give all they have and more since the trade deadline. As we know, the Hawks made only one trade as they wait to add their latest acquisition, Nate Danielson, from Brandon. Games must go on, so they headed to Seattle, which was to be a home-and-home series with the Thunderbirds.
Bringing a five-game winning streak to town, the Hawks pushed hard in the first period, squeaking out goals by Luca Cagnoni and Josh Davies with his on the powerplay less than three minutes apart and looked to skate away with the 2 goal lead in the first period. However, a late powerplay goal by Seattle sparked part of a three-goal outburst leading to the Thunderbirds’ takeover just over five minutes into the second period. Simon Lovsin’s two goals and two assists on the night were overshadowed by Coster Dunn’s pair, one in the third and one in overtime, along with two assists. Diego Buttazoni scored his 17th on the powerplay, and Josh Davies, with his second of the night, forced overtime, but twenty seconds in, it was over for the Hawks. Portland outshot Seattle 42-26 and 2-3 on the powerplay versus 1-4 to Seattle, but the early goal in overtime snapped the Hawks winning streak.
The following night was an odd one. With weather playing a huge factor, the game was initially ruled on at 1 pm; however, just a couple of hours later, the teams and officials couldn’t safely make it. The game was scrubbed, and with it, Pride Night, which was to be this game, has been moved to February 2—no word yet if the TV will follow suit.
Amidst all the chaos, there was a Kids Day game between the Hawks and Kamloops Blazers at the VMC. The Hawks looked to rid themselves of the Friday mess and kick some stuffing out of the Blazers. Fans didn’t have to wait long to find out. At 6:15 into the game, Josh Davies got his 30th of the year on the powerplay. Four minutes later, it was Gabe Klassen with his 20th. James Stefan three minutes later, and Josh Zakreski wrapped up the first period for the Hawks at 4-0. Dylan Ernst replaced Jesse Sanchez, who started in the Kamloops net to start the second period.
James Stefan got the only goal of the second near the midway point of the frame. Portland added yet another early in the third period from Ryan Miller. Kamloops would finally break the shutout just past the six-minute mark. Portland closed out the scoring with a very late goal from Diego Buttazoni toward the end of regulation, making it 7-1. Nearly 6700 attended the game, with Portland blasting 51 shots to 24 for Kamloops and scoring the only powerplay goal 1-3 vs 0-4 for the Blazers.
With the win, Portland sits 2 points behind the Everett Silvertips with five games in hand and 4 points behind Prince George with three games in hand. They are fourth in the entire WHL and hold games in hand on the top squad.
Next up are five games on the road starting in Kelowna on Wednesday, a weekend doubleheader with the Cougars in Prince George, with the following week in Kennewick against the Tri-City Americans, and the next night up in Spokane to battle the Chiefs.
Portland will get its next home game on January 31 when they host the Kelowna Rockets.
