Hawks Last Unbeaten Team in the WHL

September 28, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release

The Portland Winterhawks spoiled the Vancouver Giants home opener and banner raising ceremony by beating them 4-2 at the Langley Events Centre to improve to 3-0-0-0 on the year. The Winterhawks are now the last remaining unbeaten team in the league.

Portland took advantage of offense early as Tyson Kozak netted a pair of goals in the win to earn him top star honors. Lane Gilliss and Clay Hanus each added a power play goal in a game in which the Hawks won the battle of the special teams.

After battling through the third period with only 15 dressed skaters, the Hawks handed the Giants their first loss of the year. Portland heads east to Alberta for their next game against the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Friday, October 4th at 6:00 p.m.

NOTABLES:

Clay Hanus' scored to give him three goals in three games, the best offensive stretch of his WHL career.

Tyson Kozak netted his first career Western Hockey League goal at 8:45 of the first period.

2020 NHL Draft prospect Simon Knak added two primary assists in the win to cement him at first in WHL rookie scoring (one goal and four assists) through the team's first three games.

Tonight was the first of seven road games in Canada before the Hawks return to home ice on Saturday, October 19th against the Brandon Wheat Kings.

THE BOX SCORE (Click the hyperlink to find all the scoring details)

SHOTS ON GOAL:

POR: 28

VAN: 35

POWER PLAY:

POR: 2/4

VAN: 1/5

SAVES:

POR: Joel Hofer stopped 33-of-35 shots in route to his third consecutive win.

VAN: Trent Miner stopped 24-of-28 shots.

Portland Winterhawks (Rik Fedyck)

Western Hockey League Stories from September 28, 2019

• Stotts Leads Hitmen to 5-1 Win - Calgary Hitmen
• Game 4 vs Swift Current - Medicine Hat Tigers
• Crnkovic's First Career Hat Trick Not Enough to Halt ICE - Saskatoon Blades
• Russian Defenseman Matvei Startsev Released - Spokane Chiefs
• ICE Visit Defending WHL Champion Prince Albert Raiders on Saturday Night - Winnipeg Ice
• Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Saturday, September 28 at Red Deer Rebels - Calgary Hitmen
• Preview: Broncos Look for Weekend Split in Medicine Hat - Swift Current Broncos
• Ams Earn 3-1 Win over Thunderbirds - Tri-City Americans
• Cougars Nipped at Victoria - Prince George Cougars
• Giants Drop 2019 Home Opener to the Portland Winterhawks - Vancouver Giants
• Hawks Last Unbeaten Team in the WHL - Portland Winterhawks
• Rockets lose to Kamloops in overtime - Kelowna Rockets
• T-Birds Fall to Americans - Seattle Thunderbirds
• Royals Prevail Versus Cougars in Home Opener - Victoria Royals
• Rebels Get Great Effort from Anders, Special Teams in Road Win over Hurricanes - Red Deer Rebels
• Kinder Pots Hat Trick as ICE Defeat Blades 7-6 - Winnipeg Ice
• Tigers Defeat Broncos 2-0 - Medicine Hat Tigers
• Broncos Shutout at Home against Tigers - Swift Current Broncos
• Focht Tallies Overtime Winner for Hitmen - Calgary Hitmen
• Hitmen Prevail in Overtime over Oil Kings - Edmonton Oil Kings
• Raiders Break Tie in the Third - Regina Pats
• Warriors Blank Wheat Kings - Brandon Wheat Kings

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.

Other Recent Portland Winterhawks Stories

• Sam Spehar Signs WHL Scholarship & Development Agreement with the Hawks
• Jake Gustafson Signs WHL Scholarship & Development Agreement with the Winterhawks
• Alessandro Domenichelli Signs WHL Scholarship & Development Agreement with the Portland
• 11 New Prospects Join the Winterhawks Family
• Three Winterhawks Alumni Competing in the 2025 IIHF World Championships