Winterhawks Weekly: Hawks on a roll heading into home opener
Last week saw the Winterhawks knock off defending champion Seattle on the road with a resounding 6-1 rout to spoil the hosts’ banner-raising ceremony. Several players continued their hot starts to the season, and the team climbed to #2 in the CHL Top 10 rankings after two weeks of play.
Next up – the first two home games of the year! Be there Friday (7pm) and Saturday (6pm) as the Hawks take on Everett and Vancouver.
Hot Hawks:
- Forward Kyle Chyzowski lit up the scoreboard in Kent with two goals and a helper on Saturday, boosting his season totals to three tallies and one assist on the year. The 19-year-old recorded his third career three-point performance in the win.
- Forward Luke Schelter recorded his own three-point showing with one goal and two assists in Saturday’s victory to push himself into third in team scoring with five points (1G, 4A).
- Forward James Stefan picked up two more assists for a team-high-tying four on the season, and ranks second behind Gabe Klassen with six points through three games this season. The Laguna Beach, Calif. native has bagged two points in each game so far this season.
- Defenseman Luca Cagnoni starred in his season debut with two assists on Saturday, setting up Portland’s first and last goals of the night. The San Jose Sharks’ prospect led Hawks defensemen with 64 points in 68 games last season.
- Defenseman Ryder Thompson put up his second consecutive multi-point game on Saturday with two more assists. The Russell, Man. native set a new career high with 19 points last season, and is off to a solid start to push that bar even higher.
- Goaltender Jan Špunar picked up right where he left off last season, stopping 17 of 18 shots in his season debut in Seattle. After a steady WHL rookie season, Špunar earned an invite to the Montreal Canadiens’ rookie and main training camps last month.
Play of the Week:
Portland’s early chemistry was on display Saturday as the team racked up six goals on the defending champs in their home opener. Gabe Klassen’s second-period strike was a fine example, as he and his linemates Josh Zakreski and James Stefan each touched the puck with some tape-to-tape passing up the ice before Portland’s captain deposited a cross-crease feed into the back of the net. Worth a watch, or seven! ⤵️
Beautiful, perfect, sublime, etc. 🤌
Pretty passing all around and Gabe Klassen's got goals in three straight games! pic.twitter.com/zcGOoEPGxG
— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) October 1, 2023
Weekly Rewind:
Portland 6 at Seattle 1 (Saturday):
The night started with a Seattle celebration, but it was Portland silencing the crowd with a dominant 6-1 victory in Kent on Saturday. Three-point nights from Kyle Chyzowski (2G, 1A) and Luke Schelter (1G, 2A) led the way for the Hawks.
The Week Ahead:
IT’S HOME OPENER(S) WEEK!
Our first two home games of the year are set for Friday and Saturday, and we know you’re ready to bring the noise. First up, it’s the home opener presented by Chick-fil-A as we take on the Everett Silvertips at 7:00 P.M. on Friday. Make sure you’re in your seats early as this year’s team is introduced!
After Friday’s playoff rematch, we’re set to battle the Vancouver Giants on Saturday at 6:00 P.M., but the fun starts much earlier! Join us on the VMC commons for Toyota Fan Fest starting at 3:00 P.M. – we’ll have a number of free activities including ball hockey, face painting, photobooth fun, raffles, a live DJ, performances by the Rosebuds Dance Team, giveaways and much more! Players will begin arriving around 3:00, so get here early and let ’em hear ya before puck drop!
Upcoming Promo Nights:
Friday, October 6 – Home Opener – BUY TICKETS
Saturday, October 7 – Hawkey For All Night – BUY TICKETS
Friday, October 13 – Keep Portland Fear’d Night – BUY TICKETS
Sunday, October 15 – Hawktoberfest – BUY TICKETS
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