Following a successful start to the season and incredibly strong wins, including three in a row over the Prince George Cougars, who were a strong CHL Poll starter, things have gone downhill quickly.
The Hawks started it with a brutal 9-4 loss in Kelowna. Tig Iginla (Son of NHL star Jerome Iginla) lit the lamp for a hat trick, and Andrew Cristall added a goal and three assists for the Rockets, who chased starter Ondrej Stebetak after a period and a half, giving up five goals. His replacement in the latter half didn’t fare much better, with Marek Schlenker giving up four more.
The troupe moved to Kent and faced the Seattle Thunderbirds, a team also rebuilding from a couple of years back when they went to the Memorial Cup. The Thunderbirds picked up the early goal against Stebetak, but the Hawks claimed three in a row with powerplay goals by Tyson Yaremko and Diego Buttazzoni. Jordan Duguay notched his third of the season, and the Hawks led 3-1 after 1. Seattle returned with a pair to tie before Tyson Jugnauth added a powerplay marker. The lead was short-lived by under a minute, with Seattle getting the tie; Yaremko would add one just three seconds before the period ended to once again give the lead back to the Hawks. Seattle scored twice in the middle of the third period, and the Hawks, though they pulled Stebetak, couldn’t find the equalizer. The game was marred by a rough end. A pair of roughing minors, with 40 seconds left, led to 102 minutes called at the game’s end. Talk about Bad Blood! Diego Buttazzoni received a three-game suspension for a cross-check major, and Nathan Pilling of Seattle was given two games for a check to the head. Likely, the two will once again fill the penalty box at the next meeting. Seattle wins 6-5 in regulation.
A very rare Thursday contest between the Kamloops Blazers and the Hawks was at the VMC. The Hawks scored their two goals on the powerplay, with Kyle Chykowski and Tyson Yaremko doing the honors. Goals in the first and third periods moved the game to overtime, where Kamloops scored just over a minute in to take a 3-2 overtime win.
The Winterhawks faced the Everett Silvertips at home and, despite being close in shots, gave up goals in the first, second, and third and an empty-net goal in the third to drop a 3-0 loss to the Tips. Both Marek Schlenker for the Hawks and Jesse Sanchez for Everett were very tough against the rubber, and both were named stars of the game.
Portland then headed to Kennewick to face the Tri-City Americans. Ondrej Stebetak started in the net, lasting a period and a half before giving up three straight goals. Marek Schlenker took over and held Tri-City off the sheet in regulation. Ryan Miller, with a pair, including a powerplay goal, along with Kyle Chykowski, tied the game, sending it to overtime. Jest 33 seconds in, however, Tri-City spoiled Schlenker’s shutout game and took it 4-3 in overtime.
Portland then headed home for a pair of games, Edmonton Oil Kings and Everett Silvertips.
The Oil Kings shredded the Hawks 7-1 as Marek Schlenker, who started for Portland, was out after four straight Oil King tallies and replaced by Ondrej Stebetak, who had three against him. Only David Hoy got one past Alex Worthington in for Edmonton as his first WHL goal. Roan Woodward for Edmonton got a hat trick in the game, which chased out Schlenker.
The final game in October was with the Everett Silvertips. After a tough battle between the two teams a week ago, the same goaltending matchup occurred last time. Tyson Jugnauth started things right for the Hawks, but less than a minute later, Everett tied it up and took the lead on a shorthanded goal three minutes after tying up the game. Kyle Chykowski tied it for Portland early in the second period, only to see Everett take the lead midway through the second and put it away with an early goal in the third.
The Hawks will play on the road in Spokane, Seattle, and Wenatchee before playing at home against two Alberta teams, Calgary and Red Deer.
The Portland Winterhawks have announced a partial TV schedule with two games versus Seattle between now and Christmas. Saturday, November 2, at 6 pm in Seattle, followed by Sunday, December 9, Teddy Bear Toss Night in Portland, starting at four versus Vancouver Giants, and Saturday, December 14, Holiday Night with the famed sweaters beginning at 6 pm.
The Hawks are in tough situations. They sit seventh in the Western Conference and fourth in the US Division and have a .500 record. Everett Silvertips in the West and Saskatoon Blades in the East hold 10-2 records, with the Blades having one overtime loss as well.
The Hawks’ ride this year as they rebuild and retool will not be easy, but the energy from the young talent is something to watch. Both Ryan Miller and Ondrej Stebetak are also on the radar of the Central Scouting ranks.
