
Game Day Hub: September 24 at Kelowna
September 24, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release
Winterhawks Game Day Preview
Portland Winterhawks at Kelowna Rockets
The Winterhawks head to Kelowna looking to build off of Friday night's win in Kamloops.
Puck Drop: 7:05 p.m. PT
Venue: Prospera Place - Kelowna, BC
Uniforms: White
2021-22 Season Meetings: Portland went 4-0-0-0 against Kelowna
Portland 3 @ Kelowna 1 (Jan 8 2022)
Kelowna 2 @ Portland 4 (Nov 20 2021)
Kelowna 5 @ Portland 6 (Nov 19 2021) SO
Portland 5 @ Kelowna 4 (Nov 5 2021) SO
Listen Live: Winterhawks Radio Network and on the Winterhawks App.
Watch Live: WHL Live on CHL TV | Evoca TV
Game Notes: Winterhawks Game Notes
Upcoming Promotional Games:
Saturday, October 1 - Pacific Office Automation Opening Night - BUY TICKETS
Saturday, October 8 - Oregon Zoo Night - BUY TICKETS
Saturday, October 15 - Hawktoberfest - BUY TICKETS
FOLLOW ALONG: Box Score
Starting Hot
Game one couldn't have gone much better for the Winterhawks - Gabe Klassen struck twice and Dante Giannuzzi stopped all 24 shots as the team picked up its first opening-night victory since 2019.
"I thought we came out flying. I thought the first two periods were really great. They had a little more pressure in the third, but in the first two periods, I thought we were outstanding at making plays, and the young guys showed some poise out there," said Jack O'Brien, who logged two assists in the win.
Now with early momentum, the Hawks will look to head home with four points in their pocket.
Debutants Shining
Speaking of the "young guys," four skaters - Diego Buttazzoni, Aiden Sotas, Carter Sotheran and Alex Thompson - took the ice for their first WHL action during the Hawks' 3-0 win in Kamloops on Friday. It was a strong debut for the quartet,
Tonight could feature another WHL debut should goaltender Jan Špunar get the nod between the pipes, and a potential Winterhawks debut awaits Reid Mackay, who was a healthy extra in last night's win.
Another Opener
Portland will want to lean on the experience of quieting the home crowd in Kamloops as the team faces another home opener in Kelowna. Scoring just over a minute into Friday's game helped the Hawks get into a rhythm early, and the steady play of Dante Giannuzzi in net ensured the win despite the energy in the building spurring on the home team.
Look for another quick push from the Winterhawks as they aim for the early lead.
PROJECTED LINEUPS:
Portland
Scratches:
Kelowna
Scratches:
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Western Hockey League Stories from September 24, 2022
- GAME Preview: Wheat Kings Open Regular Season Versus Ice - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Winterhawks Weekly: September 26 - October 2 - Portland Winterhawks
- Winterhawks Reassign Donavan Bodnar to MJHL - Portland Winterhawks
- Game Day Hub: September 24 at Kelowna - Portland Winterhawks
- Warriors and Mosaic Partner on Goals for Food Program - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Chiefs Get Season off to Hot Start with 7-5 Win over Victoria - Spokane Chiefs
- Hurricanes Name 2022-2023 Leadership Group - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Game Preview: Cougars vs Americans (Game #2) - Prince George Cougars
- Americans Look to Rebound in PG - Tri-City Americans
- Chiefs Look to Carry Momentum into Saturday's Rematch against Victoria - Spokane Chiefs
- Pats Head to the Moose Jaw Events Centre Saturday - Regina Pats
- Game Day Preview - September 24 vs Lethbridge - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Americans Stumble in Opening Night Loss - Tri-City Americans
- Hitmen Win First Regular Season Game - Calgary Hitmen
- Chiefs Get Season Off To Hot Start With 7-5 Win Over Victoria - Spokane Chiefs
- Broncos Fall in Season Opener to Hitmen - Swift Current Broncos
- Hawks Blank Blazers for Season-Opening Win - Portland Winterhawks
- Pats Drop 2022-23 Home Opener - Regina Pats
- Oil Kings Fall to Red Deer in Home Opener - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Highlights: September 23, 2022 - Swift Current Broncos
- Cougars Collect Win Number One in Season Opener vs. Tri-City - Prince George Cougars
- Spokane Spoils Season Opener with 7-5 Win over Victoria - Victoria Royals
- Hawks Blank Blazers 3-0 in Season Opener - Portland Winterhawks
- Warriors Open Season with Comeback Win in Regina - Moose Jaw Warriors
- T-Birds Begin with Road Win - Seattle Thunderbirds
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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