Game Day Hub: January 9 vs Kelowna
WHL Portland Winterhawks

Game Day Hub: January 9 vs Kelowna

Published on January 9, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


The Portland Winterhawks are back at the Glass Palace to open a doubleheader weekend against the 2026 Memorial Cup hosts, Kelowna Rockets, tonight at 7 p.m. Celebrate Pride Night with us as local community groups come together to represent Portland through love and inclusion.

Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. PST

Venue: Veterans Memorial Coliseum - Portland, OR.

Uniforms: Black

Listen Live: Winterhawks Radio Network and on the Winterhawks App - Be sure to download the latest version of the app

Watch Live: Victory+

Follow the Winterhawks: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Upcoming Promotional Games:

Saturday, January 10 - 50 Years of Hawkey: Unveiling 30-21 - BUY TICKETS

Monday, January 19 - Tommy Palooza and Mascot Mayhem - BUY TICKETS

Friday, January 30 - Pacific Islanders Night - BUY TICKETS

FOLLOW ALONG

Last Time Out

Wenatchee struck first 3:38 into the opening period, but Portland responded as Sam Spehar finished a rebound off a Will McLaughlin point shot to knot the game at one after the first. The Winterhawks took the lead early in the second when Jordan Duguay converted a feed from Alex Weiermair, before the Hawks snapped home a late-period marker to give Portland a 3-2 edge heading into the third.

The Wild tied the game on a power-play goal early in the final frame, and after a scoreless remainder of regulation, the contest went to overtime. Wenatchee ended it 19 seconds into extra time, as Josh Toll scored the winner to hand Portland a 4-3 overtime loss.

Rockets Report

The Winterhawks and Rockets meet tonight for the first of two weekend matchups, with Portland looking to even the season series after Kelowna edged out a 2-1 win at Prospera Place on November 22.

Kelowna enters the weekend with an 18-14-3-2 record and sits seventh in the Western Conference with 40 points, just one behind Portland, as the Rockets look to climb the standings. Despite similar records, Kelowna is gearing up to host the 2026 Memorial Cup and is aiming to build momentum in the second half after a slow start to the season.

Overage forward Shane Smith leads the Rockets with 46 points (20G, 26A) in 42 games, including 23 points since joining Kelowna from Lethbridge in early November.

Pride Night Celebration

The Portland Winterhawks will celebrate Pride Night in partnership with the You Can Play Project, highlighting the organization's commitment to inclusion in hockey. The night will feature local LGBTQ+ community groups throughout the arena, special performances by the Portland Lesbian Choir, a Pride Night merchandise collection, and more as we come together to create a welcoming environment for everyone at the Glass Palace.

Milestone Moment

Winterhawks rookie defenceman Luke Christopherson recorded his first Western Hockey League goal in Saturday's matchup against the Vancouver Giants, scoring a timely equalizer with just over 10 minutes remaining in regulation. The Mendota Heights, Minnesota native, who has appeared in 16 games this season and recently returned from injury, also picked up a secondary assist on Reed Brown's opening goal to cap a two-point night for the 16-year-old rookie.

Light Show Experience

We have introduced a new smartphone light show experience this season, powered by CUE's "Light Show" platform.

Make sure you have downloaded the latest version of the Winterhawks App, click on the Lightshow button, enable/accept the permissions, and be ready to join in the fun starting with the team's intro video before the Hawks take the ice!

Fans will be able to sync their phone screens and flashlights to the in-arena presentation, turning the entire crowd into part of the show during key moments like player intros and intermissions. The result? An immersive, high-energy environment where your phone becomes a spotlight and you're actively part of the spectacle.

Winterhawks 50/50

Tonight's Winterhawks Foundation 50/50 is live! Half of the prize pot will go to our winner, and the other portion of the proceeds will benefit Portland youth hockey, the Tom's Tykes program, and the Players' Education Fund.

Loud Cups

The Winterhawks are thrilled to announce the Loud Cup as the team's official noisemaker! Be sure to grab yours at the Team Store at entry T. All season ticket holders can pick up their official STH exclusive Loud Cup at the info window located across from Entry A.

Noisemakers of any kind, such as cowbells, whistles, foghorns/airhorns and plastic horns such as vuvuzelas and didgeridoos are not permitted in the VMC.

Toyota Fast Pass

All Toyota Key Holders and Season Ticket Holders can take advantage of the Toyota Fast Pass Lane, located at the northernmost entrance of the main doors.

Sensory Room presented by DSP Connections

The Sensory Room will be located in the DWYER ROOM on the first floor of the coliseum and the Sensory Kits will be available for pickup at the Rose Quarter Guest Services Window near Entry CC on the VMC concourse. If you have any questions, you can contact the Winterhawks Offices at (503) 236-4295.

Kids' Corner presented by Seebee Construction

We invite all fans to visit our Winterhawks Kids Corner located in the southwest corner of the VMC concourse by Entry F. Play foosball, PlayStation 5 NHL25, or check out a book from our Little Library. A big thank you to our friends at Seebee Construction for making the fun activities in the Kids Corner possible.

Score More Chicken

All fans in attendance at Winterhawks home games this season will receive a coupon for a free Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich whenever the Hawks score four or more goals! Be sure to grab your coupon on the way out after the game.

Tune in on Victory+

Fans can stream the Portland Winterhawks' entire 2025-26 WHL regular-season on Victory+ for FREE. Visit the Winterhawks hub.

Victory+ has replaced WHL Live on CHL TV, so make sure to visit victoryplus.com/download before the game on your phone, tablet, or smart TV.

Winterhawks Season Ticket Memberships and 20-Game Plans are on sale NOW for the 2025-26 season. Pick the membership that works best for you, save big, and enjoy Winterhawks hockey year-round. Our Season Ticket Memberships allow you to enjoy the same, great seat to the biggest Winterhawks games of the season.

Check out the Portland Winterhawks Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 9, 2026


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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