Game Day Hub: November 5
Portland Winterhawks vs. Kelowna Rockets
Portland looks to bounce back in their second stop on this Canadian road trip.
Puck Drop: 7:05 p.m. PT
Venue: Prospera Place – Kelowna, B.C.
Previous Meetings in 2019-20: Portland went 4-0-0-0 head-to-head
- Saturday, February 8 – Portland (4) at Kelowna (2)
- Friday, February 7 – Portland (7) at Kelowna (3)
- Sunday, January 19 – Kelowna (2) at Portland (3)
- Friday, January 18 – Kelowna (0) at Portland (7)
Listen Live: Winterhawks Radio Network and on the Winterhawks App.
Watch Live: WHL Live on CHL TV
Game Notes: Winterhawks Game Notes
FOLLOW ALONG: Box Score
Win the first 20
The Winterhawks responded well to an early goal against in the loss to Kamloops, but the first period as a whole saw Portland struggle to keep pace with the hard-charging Blazers. But tonight’s tilt in Kelowna presents a new opportunity, and the Hawks will be looking for some early confidence to build a winning effort. Getting out of the first period tied or ahead on the scoreboard will go a long way towards a bounce-back showing for Portland.
The stat? Portland has only lost once when leading at the end of any period.
Bottle(d) Rockets
Kelowna was also in action on Wednesday, notching a 7-6 win in overtime against Vancouver. Keeping a team that scored seven goals just two days ago at bay would naturally be a challenge for any defense, but Portland has enough talent on the blue line and between the pipes to stifle any offense.
As a team, the Winterhawks can take the burden off the defense with more disciplined play tonight. Their nine penalties on Wednesday only yielded two power play goals for the Blazers, but still wore down key penalty killers and defensive specialists. Playing at even-strength (or on the Oregon Lottery Powerball power play) will help the Hawks get into a rhythm and establish their game in Kelowna.
He missed out on Wednesday, having just joined the team on the ice for the first time this year, but Friday presents another chance for Jaydon Dureau to make his 2021-22 Winterhawks debut. Last season’s leading scorer began the year in the AHL with the Syracuse Crunch, netting one goal in three games before being reassigned to Portland earlier this week. Head Coach Mike Johnston certainly won’t rush Dureau back until he deems the timing right, but Dureau’s inclusion immediately provides a lethal scoring threat in the Winterhawks’ attack should he dress tonight.
WIN A TOYOTA:
Back for another season, fans 18+ who reside in Oregon or Southwest Washington can ENTER TO WIN a brand new Toyota car, truck, or SUV.
Each game this season, one lucky fan will have their entry drawn and they will have a chance to win our grand prize if they get all five game predictions correct.
Tonight, we are cheering on: Tracy H. from Gladstone, OR
What our Hawks fan could win: A brand new 2021 Toyota Highlander
What needs to happen?
- Portland Winterhawks (4) beat the Kelowna Rockets (2)
- Marcus Nguyen scores the first Winterhawks goal.
- Portland goaltenders make 24 total saves.
- Kelowna goaltenders make 21 total saves.
Good luck tonight, Tracy!
Think you know the Winterhawks best and can win a Toyota? Click here to enter today!
PROJECTED LINEUPS:
Portland
Jaydon Dureau – Tyson Kozak – Cross Hanas
Kyle Chyzowski – Gabe Klassen – James Stefan
Aidan Litke – Jack O’Brien – Dawson Pasternak
Jonah Bevington – Luke Schelter – Marcus Nguyen
Kade Nolan – Marek Alscher
Ryder Thompson – Clay Hanus
Kurtis Smythe – Ryan McCleary
Lochlan Gordon
Dante Giannuzzi
Scratches: Josh Mori, Robbie Fromm-Delorme (INJ), Jonas Brøndberg, Luca Cagnoni
Kelowna
Gabriel Szturc – Colton Dach – Pavel Novak
Mark Liwiski – Max Graham – Jake Poole
Turner McMillen – Nolan Flamand – Steel Quiring
Andrew Cristall – Dylan Wightman – Marcus Pacheco
Noah Dorey – Jackson DeSouza
John Babcock – Jake Lee
Caden Price – Tyson Feist
Colby Knight
Cole Tisdale
Scratches: Elias Carmichael, Rilen Kovacevic, Scott Cousins