Game Day Hub: March 11 at Tri-City
Portland Winterhawks at Tri-City Americans
Fresh off a Friday night win in Spokane, the Winterhawks head south for what could be a WHL Playoff preview matchup against the Americans.
Puck Drop: 6:05 P.M. PT
Venue: Toyota Center – Kennewick, WA
Uniforms: Red
Previous Meetings This Season: Portland is 4-2-1-0 Against Tri-City
- Tri-City 4 @ Portland 3 (Mar 4 2023) OT
- Portland 6 @ Tri-City 3 (Feb 10 2023)
- Tri-City 1 @ Portland 4 (Feb 4 2023)
- Portland 1 @ Tri-City 6 (Feb 3 2023)
- Tri-City 3 @ Portland 4 (Dec 28 2022) OT
- Portland 3 @ Tri-City 7 (Oct 22 2022)
- Tri-City 2 @ Portland 4 (Oct 1 2022)
Listen Live: Winterhawks Radio Network and on the Winterhawks App
Watch Live: WHL Live on CHL TV
Game Notes: Winterhawks Game Notes
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Upcoming Promotional Games:
Saturday, March 18 – Oregon Hockey History Night & Hall of Fame Induction – Learn More – BUY TICKETS
Tuesday, March 21 – Fan Appreciation Night – BUY TICKETS
Friday, March 24 – Jersey Off Their Backs Night – Learn More – BUY TICKETS
FOLLOW ALONG: Box Score
Rematch
It’s been one week to the day since these teams last met in a testy, scrappy affair that saw the Americans leave the VMC with a 4-3 overtime win. Portland was playing its first home game in three weeks at the time and turned in a strong effort in front of the Rose City faithful, but costly errors like a late James Stefan boarding major left the door open for Tri-City to steal a win.
Now, as Stefan is expected to return to the lineup following a brief suspension, the Hawks turn their attention to returning the favor in Kennewick. Two wins and plenty of offense over the last six days will do wonders to reboot the team’s confidence (more on that below), and a loose Winterhawks lineup is a strong Winterhawks lineup. It’s another potential playoff preview at Toyota Center, and it should be a blast!
Back 2 Back
Their win over Spokane last night featured something of a return to form for the Winterhawks, stretching their point streak to three games while marking their first set of back-to-back victories since a six-game winning streak from Jan. 20-29. After a tough February, it’s exactly the kind of bounce-back the team needed in March as they build toward what is hopefully a deep playoff run.
“Every game going into playoffs is important. I think we have a lot of depth on this team and finding a way to win games is our goal. We got the lead there (in the third) and we’re always comfortable with leads and got the win,” said Josh Zakreski after netting the game-winner on Friday.
With a bit of positive momentum and some strength restored in their offensive confidence, the Hawks can hit the ice tonight knowing they have what it takes to make it three wins on the bounce.
Milestone Watch
After notching two helpers last night, Luca Cagnoni sits just one point shy of 100 in his WHL career. The top 2023 NHL Draft prospect has already set career highs in goals (15), assists (45) and points (60), and currently ranks eighth among all WHL blueliners in scoring. The Burnaby, B.C. product also leads the Hawks with nine assists against Tri-City this year and will be keen to make it 10 (or nab his first goal against Tri-City) as he seeks the century mark in his career.
Up front, forward Robbie Fromm-Delorme recently hit 150 points and now sits just three helpers shy of 100 assists in his career. Like Cagnoni, Fromm-Delorme has posted career-best numbers in all three major categories this season, with 30 goals and 31 assists for 61 points. The 20-year-old scored twice last night in Spokane but will be looking to show off his playmaking ability tonight as he chases 100 assists.
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