The Portland Winterhawks were able to reactivate Josh Zakreski into the lineup this week against Vancouver, but two other events took center stage.
The first was the signing of 19-year-old Alex Weirermair, whom they drafted 16th overall in the US Priority draft back in 2020. Alex had spent his time in University hockey, playing a pair of seasons with the US Developmental team and then with the University of Denver in 2023. A former Hawk, William Wrenn, also came from the University of Denver in 2011 and had a strong campaign for the Hawks. He now acts as a scout in Alaska.
The other was Tyson Jugnauth’s explosion, who recorded six assists, a feat that hadn’t been accomplished since Oliver Bjorkstrand in 2015, en route to a 7-2 win.
It started tame enough, with the Giants on the board just over four minutes in. Ten minutes later, Tyson Yaremko, on the powerplay, tied it up for the Hawks. The shots were pretty even in that period. The second frame saw Vancouver with an early powerplay goal, but the Hawks took just over 14 minutes, scoring four goals, including a powerplay marker to blow the game open. Kyle Chykowski and Diego Buttazzoni had a pair, Diego had one on the powerplay, and the Hawks held court leading 5-2. Weiermair got the first assist of his WHL career on Chykowski’s second of the frame.
From there, Alex Weirermair scored his first WHL while on the powerplay, and Kyle McDonough scored just midway through the game to complete the scoring.
Portland was a beast at 43-24 shots on goal and 3 for 5 on the powerplay. Vancouver’s only bright spot was the 2-3 on the powerplay.
Teddy Bear toss happened the day after, with the two teams digesting what had transpired the previous evening. The veteran Memorial Coliseum’s sold-out crowd and the large TV audience would provide a vast audience watching hockey. Usually, the Hawks do well on Teddy Bear Toss night, the word is usually.
Despite the lopsided win the previous night, the Giants came back using Burke Hood in net to replace Matthew Hutchison, who had a rough night previously. The Hawks returned Ondrej Stebetak to the net.
The Giants scored midway through the first and just before the seven-minute mark of the second. The fans in attendance were like a jack in the box, itching to throw the bears. Finally, at 10:22 of the second period,, while on the powerplay, Diego Buttazzoni buried a shot and the fur was a flying. After about a 20-minute clean up, the Hawk crowd grew silent as the Giants restored the two-goal lead less than a minute later while on the powerplay. The lead went to three late in the period, and the Hawks faithful knew this wasn’t their night. In the third where Kyle McDonough provided some hope just before the 8-minute mark, but it was for no as Adam Titbach scored an empty net goal, his third of the night for a hat trick as the Giants downed Portland 5-2. Shots favored Vancouver 40-36, and Portland was 1-5 on the powerplay, with the Giants 2-9, as the Hawks’ penalty trouble kept them from fielding complete lines during the contest.
Up for the Hawks will be a midweek game in Everett before the Hawks complete a three-game homestand leading to the Christmas break.
The TV schedule for Portland has been finalized, with most games featuring the I-5 rivalry. The following TV game will be Saturday, December 14, against Seattle, which is Holiday party night ( ugly sweater)
From there, action goes to 2025, with games crunched into two months in February and March. Saturday February 8 home to Seattle, Saturday February 15 in Seattle, Sunday February 23 hosting Spokane, Friday March 7 (Women of the Rose City night), Saturday March 8 in Seattle, Saturday March 15 (Fan Appreciation Night) and 22 at home to Seattle. The Friday game will start at 7 pm, Saturday at 6 pm, and Sunday at 4 pm.
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