The Portland Winterhawks picked up two of three wins, and the third game in the middle, a loss, is probably one to be forgotten about.
They first started in Kennewick against the Tri-City Americans, a team needing to pick up slack quickly if playoffs are in mind.
The scoreless first period gave way to Tri-City opening the scoring past the seven-minute mark as Mark Lajole sneaked one past Dante Giannuzzi. Less than a minute later, James Stefan replied for the Hawks on the Powerplay.
Just 52 seconds later, Samuel Huo capped off a rush to the Portland zone to put the home side up by one. With just 53 seconds left in the period, Adam Litke finished off a pass from Marcus Nguyen to tie up the score after 40 minutes.
In the third period, Robbie Fromm-Delorme squeaked one past Nick Avakyan just past the five-minute mark, and then as he rushed the red line three minutes later, he snuck yet another past Avakyan to put the Hawks up by two. Gabe Klassen added another 21 seconds later, with Fromm-Delorme adding an empty met goal to seal it at 6-2. Sots were high at 46-44 in Portland’s favor, with Portland 1 for 2 on the Powerplay and shutting out Tri-City in their three tries
The next night at home, the Hawks faced Seattle to solidify the second spot in the US Division. It was a rough night for Portland as they fell 5-1. Things started OK for Portland with a Robbie Fromm-Delorme powerplay goal just under seven minutes into the game, but in the second period, Seattle took over with five straight goals, with three in the second period alone on the Powerplay. Jared Davidson, Lukas Svejkovsky, Lucas Ciona, and Reid Schaefer, who would also score early in the third period, finished off the Hawks. Seattle outshot Portland 37-27 and excelled at the special teams going 3 of 6 on the Powerplay to just 1 for 5 on the Hawks.
Portland stinging on that loss, faced the Spokane Chiefs for the final time during the regular season. Portland battered the Chiefs with 4 of 5 chances on the Powerplay going in versus blanking them on their four tries. Despite the high score, not one hat trick was scored as they pummeled Spokane 9-1.
The Hawks started just over a minute in on a Marcus Nguyen goal, and it was 8 minutes later for Clay Hanus to get on the board. Tyson Kozak on the Powerplay capped off the first period scoring. The second period saw just two goals scored as Gabe Klassen pocketed one and Spokane’s lonely marker from Jake Gudelg tallied for their respective teams.
The third period saw Gabe Klassen and Luca Cagnoni score early, and then three powerplay goals, two by Jack O’Brien and one by Luke Schelter, finished off the Hawks’ retribution.
The Hawks now travel to Prince George, BC, for a pair of meetings against the Cougars before a battle in Everett a week later.
The CHL Poll came out with the Hawks dropping to 7th, and a new CHL Poll leader was crowned as Edmonton Oil Kings took the top spot. In order Edmonton Oil Kings, Everett Silvertips, Winnipeg Ice, Charlottetown Islanders, Hamilton Bulldogs, Shawinigan Cataractes, Portland Winterhawks, Kamloops Blazers, Kingston Frontenacs, and Flint Firebirds. Honorable mentions were given to Seattle Thunderbirds, North Bay Battalion, and Acadia-Bathurst Titan.
With less than 20 games left in the regular season and 8 points separating Everett and Portland, the time is now for some exciting hockey!
Fans will take part in two Community Skate events at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum. February 25, starting at 6 pm, fans will be able to skate at the Coliseum. They will be able to watch part of the Prince George Cougars game on the big screen. Following the match against Tri-City on Saturday, March 5, fans can skate on the ice again. $20 is the rental of skates through the Winterhawks Skating Center, or bring your own. Vaccination and Mask requirements at the Rose Quarter must be followed.
