WHL Portland Winterhawks

Game Day Hub: December 16 at Vancouver

Published on December 16, 2022 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


Winners of three straight, the Hawks head north for the front end of a home-and-home with Vancouver before the holiday break.

Puck Drop: 7:30 p.m. PT

Venue: Langley Events Centre

Uniforms: White

Listen Live: Winterhawks Radio Network and on the Winterhawks App

Watch Live: WHL Live on CHL TV | Evoca TV

Upcoming Promotional Games:

Saturday, December 17 - Holiday Sweater Night - BUY TICKETS

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FOLLOW ALONG: Box Score

Home and Home

Tonight marks the first in a back-to-back set between Portland and Vancouver, with the two clubs heading south to face off in the Rose City tomorrow night. The Giants got the better of the Winterhawks in their last meeting on Nov. 27, but Portland has two chances to return fire this weekend.

Ryan McCleary grabbed the Hawks' lone goal in that contest, which wrapped up a three-game road trip during American Thanksgiving week. Portland will look to get its offense going tonight against a Giants team missing two of its key scorers. Speaking of which...

Missing Pieces

With World Juniors around the corner, each team will lean on its depth this weekend. Vancouver is without two of its top three scorers in Samuel Honzek (SVK) and Zack Ostapchuk (CAN), while Portland will fill the hole left by Marek Alscher (CZE) with affiliate player Nicholas Andrusiak.

Portland and Vancouver aren't hit as hard as some other WHL clubs, but those names have logged heavy minutes for both teams this year - tonight presents a unique opportunity for some young players to step up and show what they can do in more prominent roles.

Finishing Strong

It's the last bit of action before the Christmas break and both teams will be looking to hit the holidays on a high note. Last season saw the Hawks pick up a win (and make their way to SportsCenter's Top 10) in Spokane, setting the stage for a massive run in the back half of the season.

While not facing the uphill climb in the standings they were last year, the Hawks know they face plenty of tough tests down the stretch. Four big points this weekend would help make sure they can return for the new year on the right foot.

Check out the Portland Winterhawks Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 16, 2022


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