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WHL Portland Winterhawks

Game Day Hub: January 26 at Tri-City

January 26, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


The Winterhawks are back on the south side of the border for a divisional clash in Kennewick on Friday night.

Puck Drop: 7:05 P.M.

Venue: Toyota Center - Kennewick, Wash.

Uniforms: Black

2023-24 Season Series: Portland is 2-0-0-0 against Tri-City

Portland 6 @ Tri-City 5 (Dec 27 2023) OT

Tri-City 0 @ Portland 7 (Oct 15 2023)

Listen Live: Winterhawks Radio Network and on the Winterhawks App

Watch Live: WHL Live on CHL TV

Game Notes: Winterhawks Game Notes

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Upcoming Promo Games:

Friday, February 2 - Pride Night - BUY TICKETS

Sunday, February 4 - Hawks Fight Cancer Night - BUY TICKETS

Saturday, February 10 - Black Hockey History Night - BUY TICKETS

Saturday, February 17 - Mascot Night - BUY TICKETS

FOLLOW ALONG: Box Score

Taking On Tri-City

The Winterhawks returned home this week after last weekend's back-to-back in PG, but the highway calls once more as they head out for divisional tilts tonight and tomorrow before hitting home ice on Sunday. They'll battle the Americans for the third time this year, having taken both contests thus far, including an OT thriller on Dec. 27 (more on that below).

James Stefan, Gabe Klassen and Kyle Chyzowski all have four points in the season series to lead all skaters, while a smattering of Americans have posted two points against the Winterhawks this year. Tri-City enters tonight's contest mired in a tough stretch, having lost eight of 10 games this month. Lukas Matecha and Max Curran have been bright spots for the Ams this season, and appeared at this week's Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Moncton, N.B. Jordan Gavien leads the team in scoring with 48 points this year, while Jake Sloan and Calgary Flames prospect Parker Bell help spearhead the attack.

Last Time We Met...

It was a wild one on Dec. 27, when the Winterhawks captured a 6-5 overtime win in Kennewick after two goals in the final 1:03 to force the extra frame. Tri-City quickly picked up a 2-0 lead in the contest, then both teams traded goals until the waning moments of play when Diego Buttazzoni brought Portland within a goal for the fifth time that night, and Jack O'Brien found twine with 14 seconds left to clinch at least one point. O'Brien then set up Marcus Nguyen for the game-winner in OT to help the Hawks remain perfect against Tri-City this season.

The game also saw Nick Avakyan earn the win against his former club after stepping in for an injured Justen Maric, making 22 saves on 24 shots in just under 37 minutes of action.

Busy Season

After the rescheduling of Jan. 13's home game against Seattle to this coming Sunday, the Winterhawks are staring down consecutive three-in-three sets this weekend and next, plus a midweek matchup against Kelowna at home on Wednesday. The team battled through three straight three-in-threes in November and December, as well as a pretty hectic schedule during the Eastern Conference trip in October and November, so there's some experience to lean on heading into a compressed slate of contests.

"I just think it's keeping the energy levels up high, going into each game with the same energy, same mentality, good recoveries after the game and staying focused," said rookie forward Kyle McDonough ahead of the team's first three-in-three back in October.

A big challenge awaits, but it's nothing this group hasn't seen before - a big win tonight in Tri-City would kickstart some good momentum as they prepare for busy times.

Check out the Portland Winterhawks Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from January 26, 2024


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