WHL Portland Winterhawks

Winterhawks Game Day Preview: Portland vs. Tri-City

Published on March 10, 2018 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


Winterhawks Game Day Preview: Portland vs. Tri-City - Game #68 - 1998 Memorial Cup NightMar 10th 2018, 20:38

Portland (41-20-1-4) vs. Tri-City (33-24-8-1) - 1998 Memorial Cup Night - 6:00 p.m. - VMC

Listen: http://winterhawks.com/listen

Tickets: http://bit.ly/2HmgBYS

The Winterhawks and Tri-City Americans face off for the tenth and final time tonight on '98 Memorial Cup night. Portland will be inducting four legendary players to their Hall of Fame prior to the game at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The inductees will be Marian Hossa, Andrew Ference, Brenden Morrow and Todd Robinson.

The Winterhawks of course will also be honoring the entire 1998 Memorial Cup winning, with nearly all players and coaches expected to be in attendance.

PREVIOUS GAME: Winterhawks 7 at Cougars 1: : Skyler McKenzie picked up a hat-trick as Portland took down the Cougars 7-1 in Prince George on Wednesday.

After the Cougars got on the board first, Henri Jokiharju tied things up on a wicked wrister from the top of the left circle to tie things up at one.

In the second, Skyler McKenzie picked up a goal on a power-play on an assist from Cody Glass to give Portland the lead. For McKenzie, it was his 43rd goal of the season, a new career high. Also on the goal, Glass extended his point streak to nine games. McKenzie and Glass would then connect once again 13:36 into the second shorthanded, as Glass fed McKenzie in front for his second of the night. Then, as the end of the second was winding down, Lukus MacKenzie was sprung on a breakaway, and scored a beautiful between-the-legs goal to make it 4-1 Portland.

The Hawks continued to press in the third, 2:42 in the period, Lane Gilliss tapped home a loose-puck on the goal line for his 7th of the season. Less than 1:30 later, Kieffer Bellows sniped his 39th of the season to make it 6-1 Portland. Skyler McKenzie then completed the hat trick on a give-and-go with Brendan De Jong to make it a 7-1 final.

TODAY'S OPPONENT: The Americans clinched a playoff spot last night with a 6-2 victory over the Vancouver Giants in Kennewick. Tri-City had been struggling prior to last night's game, losing four straight. Portland has defeated the Americans in four straight matchups dating back to February 2nd, and have outscored Tri-City 14-0 in their last two games.

Rookie forward Sasha Mutala has a big game last night versus the Giants, recording two goals and an assist in the victory. Juuso Valimaki also had a strong night with a goal and an assist. Patrick Dea made 27 saves for the win, but has struggled for the most part versus Portland this season. The over-age tender has gone 1-4-1-0 against Portland but does own a solid .912 SV%.

Isaac Johnson leads all Americans players with five goals in nine games against Portland. Johnson and Morgan Geekie both have seven points versus Portland this season. In net, Patrick Dea has a 1-4-1-0 record against Portland but does own a solid .912 SV%.

WINTERHAWKS TO KEEP AN EYE ON: Coming into tonight, Cody Glass is on a nine-game point and has seven goals and 12 assists over that span. Glass has recorded a multi-point game in six of his last seven games. He sits just one-point shy of his career high 94 points in a season, which he set last year.

Skyler McKenzie is sitting on 99 career goals heading into tonight's game. The Winnipeg Jets draft-pick has four goals in his last two games and recorded a hat-trick against Prince George on Wednesday. With five games to play, McKenzie is five goals away from 50 on the season.

Kieffer Bellows leads all Hawks players in goals (9) and points (13) against the Americans this season. Bellows is one goal away from reaching 40 on the year, and has ten goals over his last eight games.

Whoever gets the start in net against the Americans tonight is an excellent choice. Cole Kehler is coming off back-to-back wins over the Cougars Tuesday and Wednesday. While Shane Farkas has dominated the Americans this season, going 5-0-0-0 with a 0.99 GAA and a .912 SV%. Farkas has also won his last eight starts.

Other point streaks to keep an eye on include Jake Gricius' five-gamer, and Lane Gilliss' four-game streak.

STAT OF THE DAY: During Portland's eight-game point streak, they have averaged 5.1 goals-per-game, while allowing just 1.8 goals-against.

Here's how the two teams have played head-to-head this season:

Winterhawks: 7-2-0-0   Americans: 2-6-1-0

This Year's Season Series:

11/11/17 - Tri-City 2 @ Portland 5

27/12/17 - Tri-City 6 @ Portland 3

29/12/17 - Portland 3 @ Tri-City 2 (OT)

12/01/18 - Portland 5 @ Tri-City 1

02/02/18 - Portland 3 @ Tri-City 6

03/02/18 - Tri-City 2 @ Portland 3

09/02/18 - Tri-City 1 @ Portland 3

27/02/18 - Portland 9 @ Tri-City 0

03/03/18 - Portland 5 @ Tri-City 0

10/03/18 - Tri-City @ Portland

Portland is back in action tomorrow night against the Everett Silvertips at the Moda Center. Make sure to grab your tickets HERE!

Check out the Portland Winterhawks Statistics

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