The Hawks started the regular season after getting solid wins during the “tournaments” over Everett and Seattle and two shutouts against Spokane and then Tri-City by exact 3-0 scores.
Things were demanding from the get-go with a 5-4 shootout loss over Tri-City on the road. Tri-City got the first three goals and held court up until the middle of the second period until Portland was able to pocket a pair to end the period down by just one,
Gabe Klassen got a powerplay goal near the midway mark of the period but saw it lost just a couple of minutes later. Two minutes later, the Hawks scored to even up the score. After five rounds Dewayne Jean Jr from Tri-City broke the tie with a shootout goal. The Hawks were able to salvage a point on the road.
Things didn’t go so well in their Home opener with Seattle the following night. After the Hawks scored the first goal midway through the first period, the Hawks gave up three goals during the second period. With the shot total of 36-35 for Seattle 2/6 and 1/6 powerplays, Seattle had a slight advantage.
The next game, which would take them to the following week, would see them against the Everett Silvertips, which they did well in the tournament. The regular season was a different story, with Everett getting not only a win but a shutout as well. Dante Giannzzi could not get things going for his team as Everett would score late in the first period and got an additional score in the second with a pair in the third as they cruised to a 4-0 shutout of the Hawks.
The Hawks would hit the road with a Battle in Seattle against the Seattle Thunderbirds. The Hawks would score first with a goal midway through the first period while on the powerplay.
Seattle scored twice early in the second period to take the lead in the game. Adam Litke hoped to be a star for the Hawks and scored on the powerplay to tie the game again 46 seconds later.
The Hawks would capitalize with a regular strength goal and an empty net goal to take the game 4-2. The Hawks outshot Seattle 38-30 and led 2/6 to 0/5 on the powerplay. This was Lochlan Gordon’s first win and complete game, who looked impressive in his debut.
The following night it was the Spokane Chiefs who would provide the opposition for the Hawks. After wrapping up three goals during the first period, one late in the period on the powerplay by Robbie Fromm-Delorme, Hawks cruised to a 3-0 shutout. Jack O’Brien and Cross Hanas would complement the goal total. Portland outshot Spokane 32-29 and got just one goal on seven tries, with Spokane being blanked on four occasions. Dante Giannuzzi picked up a win that would even up the record at 2-2-1, putting them in the fourth spot due to playing more games than the ones in front of them.
Five games remain in the month of October to be played with a pair versus Everett, one against Tri-City, and one versus Seattle.
Currently, all teams are playing with their own division as the borders remain closed during October. The WHL has had to make a couple of adjustments during October, switching out games in October to reflect games within just their division.
With the US continuing to border closure for another month, teams looking to US/ BC play, no one is sure what will happen in November. Right now, Portland is scheduled to play in Kamloops on November 3. We will see if that game will be adjusted as well.
