The Portland Winterhawks are shaping up to be a team defined by uncertainty this season. Flashes of brilliance mixed with rookie mistakes and a challenging road ahead are making for some unpredictable, and often entertaining, nights.
Those rookie mistakes proved costly in a 6–2 loss to Spokane, as Portland turned the puck over three times in front of its own net, each leading directly to a Chiefs goal. The Hawks did show some fight, getting goals from Kyle McDonough and an early third-period tally by Max Psenicka that briefly sparked hope despite being down three. Any chance of a comeback was ended seconds after Portland pulled the goalie, when Spokane buried an empty-net goal. The Hawks were outshot 33–28, and special teams struggled on both sides, with Portland going 0-for-4 on the power play and Spokane 0-for-2.
Portland then headed to Kennewick to face Tri-City in a game that was decided entirely in the third period. After surrendering the opening goal, the Hawks responded with two of their own just three minutes apart. Alex Weiermair blasted home a shot from the slot after a pass from Jordin Dougay, followed by Max Psenicka finishing off a quick passing sequence. Nathan Brown sealed the 3–1 win with an empty-net goal after taking a long feed from Weiermair with just three seconds remaining. Ondrej Stebatek was outstanding, especially in the first period, contorting his body in remarkable ways to keep Portland in the game. Both goaltenders were strong in the second period. The Hawks held a 31–29 edge in shots, and power plays were again quiet, with Portland going 0-for-3 and Tri-City 0-for-1.
Back home, the Hawks faced the Brandon Wheat Kings, who were coming off a 4–1 loss to Everett and looking to regroup. Portland struck early, with Kyle McDonough scoring just 90 seconds into the game, and doubled the lead when Luke Wilfley converted a penalty shot. Brandon answered with two goals in the second period, one midway through the frame and another late. With no scoring in the third, the game went to overtime, where Brandon ended it just 24 seconds in to claim a 3–2 win. Portland outshot Brandon 33–29, and once again, special teams were held in check, with the Hawks going 0-for-3 and Brandon 0-for-1 on the power play.
Looking ahead, Portland faces a demanding stretch with five games in nine days, including two BC Division matchups and three against US Division opponents. The Hawks will be eager to move past one of their toughest matchups in Wenatchee, as they have struggled mightily against the Wild both at home and on the road. A midweek game against Kelowna also stands out. Portland recently fell to the Rockets, who have loaded up for a Memorial Cup run, though the Hawks kept pace for much of the contest before coming up short.
With the trade deadline passed and a pair of alternate captains moved, the Hawks have reset their leadership group. Nathan Brown, Kyle McDonough, and Cole Slobodian have joined regular assistant captain Alex Weiermair, with the trio rotating alternates on a game-by-game basis. Ryan Miller remains the team captain.
Arron Zoluniuk was reassigned to the Vernon Vipers of the BCHL, while Carter Matthews signed a WHL Standard Player Agreement and has been inserted into the lineup.
The Hawks currently sit third in the US Division, five points behind Tri-City, two ahead of Spokane, and six clear of Seattle, though they trail all three teams in games played. Portland is seventh in the Western Conference as the calendar turns to February.
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