Game Day Hub: December 27
Published on December 27, 2019 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release
Portland Winterhawks vs. Tri-City Americans The Portland Winterhawks return from Christmas break with back-to-back road games against U.S. Division opponents. First up, the team heads east for the second trip to the Toyota Center this month.
Puck Drop: 7:05 p.m. PT
Venue: Toyota Center (Kennewick, WA)
Listen Live: Winterhawks Radio Network and on the Winterhawks App.
Watch Live: WHL Live
*FREE to watch online at WHLLive.com this weekend with the promo code WHLGIFT19
FOLLOW ALONG: Box Score
The Portland Winterhawks (22-6-1-3) sit second place in the division, just a game back of the lead, with 48 points at the holiday break. They are looking to continue their success against the Americans this season. Portland has won both its previous meetings against Tri-City, while outscoring them 14-2.
Cross Hanas is the top performer against Tri-City with three goals and three assists in the two games. Defenseman Clay Hanus owns four goals head-to-head, including the game-winning tally in the last meetings. Reece Newkirk is currently on a career-best eight-game point streak entering the second half of the season.
Portland enters the weekend on a seven game point streak in December (6-0-0-1) and seventh place on the CHL Top Ten rankings. They will be without goaltender Joel Hofer (Canada) and forward Simon Knak (Switzerland) until early January as they are overseas playing in the 2020 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. Isaiah DiLaura and affiliate player Dante Giannuzzi will share the work in net while Hofer is away. Giannuzzi picked up his first win of the season on December 14 when the Hawks beat Tri-City 8-1. Defenseman Jonas Brøndberg has returned from his international event in Belarus.
On the Americans side, keep an eye on Colorado Avalanche prospect Sasha Mutala. He has scored two goals and four assists in his last five games. Portland matches up against a Tri-City team that has struggled this month, going 0-5-1-0 in December while getting outscored 29-to-12.
The next home match-up against the Americans is next weekend on January 4.
Western Hockey League Stories from December 27, 2019
- Raiders Open Second Half with Loss to Blades - Prince Albert Raiders
- Ice Blank Wheat Kings 4-0 - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Blades Top Raiders for Fourth Time this Season - Saskatoon Blades
- Hurricanes Eclipse Hitmen in OT - Calgary Hitmen
- Hartje Scores Two in Friday Loss to Pats - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Cossa Shines as Oil Kings Open Second Half with Road Win over Rebels - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Hughes Earns Shutout and ICE Blank Wheat Kings 4-0 - Winnipeg Ice
- Blades Top Raiders in Prince Albert for Fourth Time this Season - Saskatoon Blades
- Pats Roll to 4-0 Lead through Two, Coast to Win - Regina Pats
- Americans Trade Cikhart to Regina - Tri-City Americans
- Broncos Acquire 6'6" Cole Nagy from Prince Albert - Swift Current Broncos
- Game 34 at Swift Current - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Pats Acquire Czech Forward Jan Cikhart from Tri-City - Regina Pats
- Raiders Acquire Culling from Broncos - Prince Albert Raiders
- A Holiday Test in the Wheat City - Winnipeg Ice
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Friday, December 27 at Lethbridge - Calgary Hitmen
- Game Preview: Blades Resume Action in Prince Albert against Raiders - Saskatoon Blades
- Game Day Preview: Pats Return from Xmas Break to Visit Moose Jaw Friday - Regina Pats
- Game Day Hub: December 27 - Portland Winterhawks
- Foote lights the lamp as Canada downs Americans in World Juniors opener - Kelowna Rockets
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