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WHL Portland Winterhawks

Game Day Hub: March 12 at Spokane

March 12, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


The Hawks hit the road again for a divisional clash with the Chiefs in a potential first-round playoff preview.

Puck Drop: 7:05 P.M

Venue: Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena - Spokane, Wash.

Uniforms: White

2023-24 Season Series: Portland is 3-2-0-0 against Spokane

Portland 5 @ Spokane 4 (Jan 27 2024)

Spokane 3 @ Portland 1 (Dec 16 2023)

Portland 6 @ Spokane 5 (Dec 15 2023) OT

Spokane 5 @ Portland 8 (Dec 8 2023)

Spokane 5 @ Portland 2 (Nov 26 2023)

Listen Live: Winterhawks Radio Network and on the Winterhawks App

Watch Live: WHL Live on CHL TV

Upcoming Promo Games:

Friday, March 15 - Fan Appreciation Night - BUY TICKETS

Upcoming Playoff Games:

Round 1, Game 1 - Friday, March 29

Round 1, Game 2 - Saturday, March 30

FOLLOW ALONG: Box Score

On The Road Again

It's a new week, but it starts with a little deja vu as the Winterhawks head out for a midweek matchup on the road. Last week, it was a 6-4 Wednesday night win in Kamloops that helped kick-start Portland to a 7-1 romp on Saturday. Now, they'll be looking for the same tonight in Spokane ahead of a busy weekend against more division rivals.

The five-game season series between these two has been quite offensive, with only one matchup seeing fewer than five total goals and two matchups in the double-digits. Spokane's top line of Conner Roulette, Berkly Catton and Chase Bertholet has shone throughout the series with 33 points produced by that line alone, but Portland's depth continues to give the Hawks the edge they need to win. James Stefan, Gabe Klassen and Josh Davies lead the Hawks in the season series, but Luca Cagnoni, Marcus Nguyen and Jack O'Brien aren't far behind. And that's to say nothing of players like Diego Buttazzoni, Josh Zakreski, Tyson Jugnauth and Nate Danielson - who has only seen Spokane once as a Hawk - each of whom has the talent to take over a game.

Playoff Implications

With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, EVERY game is consequential as we head down the stretch. Tonight presents Spokane's first opportunity to clinch the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference playoff pool, with final seeding still to be determined. The Chiefs need just a point to stave off Seattle's dying bid for a postseason berth and cement their return to playoff hockey after missing out last season.

Meanwhile, the Hawks still have the inside track for the U.S. Division title and the Western Conference's top seed - neither Prince George nor Everett can catch Portland without a stumble from the Hawks. The need for two points in each contest is greater than ever, meaning both teams enter tonight's tilt with plenty of motivation. Their place in the standings also makes it a potential first-round preview; if Portland holds on for first and Spokane fails to climb higher than eighth, these two division rivals will face off as the postseason journey begins.

Cagnoni Hits 200

Another day, another milestone! After Kyle Chyzowski skated in his 200th WHL game on Saturday, it's Luca Cagnoni's turn to do the same tonight!

One of the most fascinating stories on the team, Cagnoni went from undrafted in the WHL Draft to a fourth-round selection by the San Jose Sharks in last summer's NHL Draft. He now ranks among the highest-scoring defensemen in the Canadian Hockey League with 76 points on the year, and has posted a stunning 179 points in 199 career games thus far. The Burnaby, B.C. native is one of the most electrifying players in the league, showing off his smooth skating and agility to create offense from the blue line and, in just his third full season, has become one of Head Coach Mike Johnston's most relied-upon players in all situations.

Congrats on 200, Cags!

Check out the Portland Winterhawks Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from March 12, 2024


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