Portland played just one game this week, but it was against the former Memorial Cup Champion Prince Albert Raiders. The Raiders, who have not fared well on the US Swing this season, lost to Seattle the previous night and many figured that would translate to a rough go for the Winterhawks. However, the Hawks had other plans.
Portland opened the scoring on the powerplay with a goal by Reece Newkirk just over five minutes into the game. Late in the first period, Reece Newkirk found an pen Seth Jarvis at the side of the net, flipping the puck from forward to backhand, he roofed it over Boston Bilous for the 2-0 lead. Prince Albert chipped away at the lead just over eight minutes into the second period, but Jake Gricius answered on the powerplay just under two minutes later to restore the two goal cushion. That spelled the end of the night for Bilous who was replaced by Carter Serhyenko who went the rest of the way. The score remained a 3-1 lead going into the third period. Early in the third period, Prince Albert got another one to make it a one goal game. Newkirk ended his night with an empty net goal receiving a pass off the faceoff and restored the two goal lead.
Portland got careless in a scramble and allowed a Prince Albert goal with just four seconds left to bring the Raiders within one, but time ran out and Portland skated away with the win. Portland is now undefeated in home games thus far with a pair in September and a pair in October. Prince Albert actually got more shots on goal 28-27, but it was the special teams of Portland going two of four, while shutting out Prince Albert on their three chances
Fans will, once again, be without home action for a time as a ten-day window opens with the boys not hitting the home sheet until November 2 where they will honor long time broadcaster, salesman and more in Dean “Scooter” Vrooman.
In fact, Portland will then cram in thirteen home games in November and December with a break of 11 days at Christmas. They will also have eight road games including an extended trip that will see them play doubleheaders against Kamloops and then Prince George, for a total of nineteen games in two months.
Week six is up on the CHL Top Ten Poll and as expected, Portland with their one game, didn’t crack the poll. Prince Albert slid to fourth, occurring with their losses to Seattle and Everett, but now with the loss to Portland, a slide is expected. Edmonton ramped up to third and Everett was given an honorable mention. Here are the current coaches poll numbers as we enter week six.
(1) Sherbrooke Phoenix, (2) Oshawa Generals, (3) Edmonton Oil Kings, (4) Prince Albert Raiders, (5) Chicoutimi Sagueneens, (6) Owen Sound Attack, (7) Cape Breton Eagles, (8) Rimouski Oceanic, (9) Peterborough Petes, and (10) Charlottetown Islanders, with honourable mention to the Everett Silvertips, Flint Firebirds, and Drummondville Voltigeurs.
The Hawks will have one game on Friday up in Spokane, turn around and be headed to ten Toyota dealerships on Saturday, October 26 from 2-3pm Fans can see between two and three at locations from Kelso to Salem. Street Hockey, enter to win Toyota Hockey Family sweepstakes and more, will be available at all ten locations.
Tuesday the 29th, will be a pair of Les Schwab events featuring four players at each event. From 4:30 to 6, fans can meet John Ludvig, Cross Hanas, James Sefan and Jack O’Brien at 12110 NE Erin Way with Jake Gricius, Seth Jarvis, Clay Hanus and Seth Jarvis hitting the location at NE 167th and NE Division. This will be the first of three events during the season. The event will run 4:30pm to 6pm at these events.
People can also sign up to become Booster Club members on Tuesday as well.
