Game Day Hub: Round 2, Game 7 vs Seattle
May 17, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release
It's all on the line on Tuesday as the Winterhawks host the Thunderbirds in a do-or-die Game 7 at the VMC.
Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. PT
Venue: Veterans Memorial Coliseum - Portland, OR
Uniforms: White
The Series So Far: Series Tied 3-3
Game 1 - Portland 4 @ Seattle 2 (POR leads 1-0)
Game 2 - Portland 2 vs Seattle 1 (POR leads 2-0)
Game 3 - Portland 0 vs Seattle 5 (POR leads 2-1)
Game 4 - Portland 5 @ Seattle 1 (POR leads 3-1)
Game 5 - Portland 1 vs Seattle 3 (POR leads 3-2)
Game 6 - Portland 1 @ Seattle 2 (Series tied 3-3)
Listen Live: Winterhawks Radio Network and on the Winterhawks App. Fans can listen live in the arena on 87.9 FM.
Watch Live: WHL Live on CHL TV
On the Line
The most exciting two words in sports: Game 7! It all goes down tonight at the VMC as Portland and Seattle wrap up a grueling second-round series with a winner-take-all showdown. Portland is 8-7 all-time in Game 7's, including a 5-3 home record. Most recently, the Winterhawks eliminated the Spokane Chiefs in 2018 with a 3-1 win on home ice.
A seven-game series is meant to find the better team over time, to give both sides a chance on home ice and see who can grit out four wins the fastest. But when a series gets all the way to Game 7, all bets are off. It comes down to one game to decide whose season ends and who takes one more step towards the championship, and the Winterhawks are ready for the challenge.
"We're obviously going to come the most prepared we've been all year for this game. This is huge. Our season's on the line, but I have all the confidence in this group. When the VMC is going, it's super loud and it's the best fans in the WHL and the best atmosphere...it would be huge for us to get a lot of people to come out and support us like they have been all year," said Kurtis Smythe.
Get up and get loud, Portland! We'll need a rowdy VMC to help get the win tonight.
How We Got Here
Portland raced out of the gates in this series with back-to-back wins, but traded victories with Seattle over the next two games en route to a 3-1 lead. With their backs against the wall, the Thunderbirds picked up close wins in Games 5 and 6 to keep their season alive and force tonight's Game 7.
What's Next?
The winner of tonight's game will advance to the Western Conference Championship to face the Kamloops Blazers, who eliminated the Vancouver Giants in six games on Sunday.
Western Hockey League Stories from May 17, 2022
- WHL Announces Western Conference Championship Series Schedule - WHL
- WHL Announces Western Conference Championship Series Schedule - Seattle Thunderbirds
- WHL to Host 2022 U.S. Priority and Prospect Drafts this Week - Tri-City Americans
- Western Hockey League to Host 2022 WHL U.S. Priority and Prospects Drafts this Week - WHL
- Silvertips Ready for 2022 WHL Draft Week - Everett Silvertips
- Tetachuk Connects with Teammates, Fans During Incredible Season - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Game Day Hub: Round 2, Game 7 vs Seattle - Portland Winterhawks
- 2022 WHL Prospects Draft Pats Preview - Regina Pats
- Chiefs Prepare for U.S. Priority Draft and WHL Prospects Draft - Spokane Chiefs
- ECC SERIES Preview: Edmonton Oil Kings vs. Winnipeg ICE - Edmonton Oil Kings
- T-Birds Even Series, Force Game Seven - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Portland, Seattle Set for Game 7 on Tuesday - Portland Winterhawks
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.
