After a tough, gritty win over Tri-City Americans, Portland ran into a buzzsaw of the Everett Silvertips.
The first game saw a scoreless first period, but Everett waited just 9 seconds to get on the board in the second period. The Hawks got that back, with Aiden Litke scoring at 5:40. Everett then widened the gap with four goals – two late in the second period, one on the powerplay, and two more midway through the third period with one on the powerplay.
The Hawks scored their only powerplay goal of the night, with Gabe Klassen notching his 3rd goal at 17:11. The Hawks were not able to close the gap any further. Koen MacInnes took the win for the Silvertips as Dante Giannuzzi took the loss. Shots went Everett’s way at 35-26, with both teams getting five chances each on the powerplay, Everett with two goals and Portland with one.
The second game saw Lochlan Gordon make his home debut between the pipes as the Hawks faced Everett again. Though both teams had a minimal shot total, Everett could get one past Gordon just past the seventeen-minute mark. It was the only goal that got past Gordon all night in his 25 save performance. However, the Hawks could not get one past Braden Holt, who was making the start for the Tips. The Hawks would drop a tough one 1-0. Shots went Everett’s favor 26-22, and both teams went 0-2 on the powerplay.
The final homestand game was up against the I-5 rival Seattle Thunderbirds. Dante Giannuzzi started the game but was replaced at the start of the second after giving up three goals within 5 minutes of the ten-minute mark. Late in the first period, the Hawks got on the board with Tyson Kozak’s first of two goals on the night.
The Hawks saw that closeness breakup at 5:52, where Seattle scored again to restore their three-goal lead. Cross Hanas brought the Hawks within two with a goal at 12:41, only to see Seattle once again grab a three-goal lead with a marker at 15:45. The Hawks again narrowed the gap at 18:39 of the second as Gabe Klassen knocked his fourth year in.
The third period saw Seattle restore its three-goal lead at 15:54. The Hawks tried a comeback with Tyson Kozak’s second of the night at 19:05 when they pulled Lochlan Gordon. They couldn’t convert and did not allow Seattle an empty-net goal, leaving the score at 6-4. Portland outshot Seattle 38-31, with both teams getting a goose egg on the powerplay. Portland 0-3 and Seattle 0-2.
With its first trip to British Columbia, Portland now hits the road as they face the BC Division-leading Kamloops Blazers, then Kelowna Rockets and Vancouver Giants. They will meet Everett first leading to Halloween and then following the BC trip; they will square off with Seattle and then Tri-City as they head home. 11 games at home will run from November 16 to December 14.
Portland announced its TV schedule with ten games on the docket. Teddy Bear Toss will air for the first time as the Hawks face Spokane at 6 pm on December 11. Other games will be against Seattle. December 31 with a 5pm start, Friday January 14 7:05pm, Saturday January 22 6pm, Saturday January 29 6:05pm, Saturday February 5 at Spokane 7:05pm, Saturday February 19 vs Seattle 6pm, Friday March 11 at Seattle 7:05pm, Saturday March 19 at Seattle 6:05pm, Saturday April 2 vs Seattle 6pm.
