Game Day Hub: February 21
February 21, 2020 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release
Portland Winterhawks vs. Seattle Thunderbirds The Winterhawks open the weekend with a home and home against the rival Thunderbirds. Portland plays three straight games this weekend, looking to stay well ahead of Everett in the division.
Tonight's game is also the Jack in the Box Smash for Cash promotion. Fans will participate at center ice between periods in KnockerBall heats to smash away their opponents until we have two champions. In the end, we will have a men's and a women's winner each taking home $1,000 cash.
Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. PT
Venue: Veterans Memorial Coliseum (Portland, OR)
Listen Live: Winterhawks Radio Network and on the Winterhawks App. You can also listen live in the arena by tuning your radio to 87.9 FM.
Watch Live: WHL Live
Tickets: Portland vs. Seattle
FOLLOW ALONG: Box Score
The Portland Winterhawks and Seattle Thunderbirds have played some tight head-to-head games already this season, but Portland has secured a point in the seven previous meetings going 4-0-0-3. The two meetings in 2020 have both gone to a shootout with each team winning once.
Entering the weekend, the Hawks have won four of their last five games and the last two T-Birds wins this month came against non U.S. Division opponents. On Tuesday, Andrej Kukuca powered the Thunderbirds to a win against Moose Jaw thanks to his second hat trick of the season, claiming the WHL's First Star of the Night. Kukuca leads Seattle with 22 goals and 50 points this season.
The Winterhawks juggled their forward lines last weekend and came up with 11 goals. They are currently the league leaders in offense, averaging 4.28 goals-per-game and co-leading the WHL with 231 total goals. Reece Newkirk and Seth Jarvis both sit inside the top 15 in league scoring. Newkirk is looking to add to his seven head-to-head points against Seattle.
The team's bread and butter, however, has been consistency through the lineup. Ten players have scored ten or more goals this season and two others are lingering with nine goals apiece. Offense has been plentiful in the match-ups against Seattle this year and the Hawks have put up 40 plus shots in the last four meetings.
The Hawks are inching closer to clinching home ice in the 2020 WHL Playoffs. As one of three U.S. Division teams to already clinch a spot in the postseason, the Hawks magic number is set at 11 points to guarantee a top two finish in the division and home ice advantage for the opening round of playoffs.
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Western Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2020
- Broncos Show Promise in Loss to Chiefs - Swift Current Broncos
- Wheat Kings Special Teams Make the Difference in Win over Oil Kings - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Road Trip Ends with a Loss in Lethbridge - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Blades Get Huge Win in Regina - Saskatoon Blades
- Hometown Kid Ices 5-1 Win at Swift Current - Spokane Chiefs
- Winterhawks and adidas Announce New Alternate Crest and Third Jersey - Portland Winterhawks
- Blades Pull away from Pats - Regina Pats
- CFB Shilo Family Wins Home Depot Backyard Rink Contest - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Zoom+Care Mental Health Night to Raise Funds for Lines for Life and Canadian Mental Health Association - Portland Winterhawks
- Giants Sign 2002-Born Forward Kadyn Chabot - Vancouver Giants
- Rebels Rookie Masters Soaked up Knowledge While out with Injury for a Lengthy Stretch - Red Deer Rebels
- Tigers Talk with Garin Bjorklund - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Game Preview: Blades Visit Pats in Big City Showdown - Saskatoon Blades
- Game Day Hub: February 21 - Portland Winterhawks
- Game 56 vs Tri-City - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Oil Kings and Raiders Visit for Double Header Weekend at Westoba Place - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Friday, February 21 at Vancouver - Calgary Hitmen
- Game Day Preview: Pats Start Three in Three Weekend at Home to Saskatoon Friday - Regina Pats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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