December 2 Weekly Preview
The Winterhawks are on the road this week after they earned a home victory on Friday against the Kootenay Ice in the Burgerville Daylight Classic, and then defeated the Tri-City Americans the following night in Kennewick. The team will then return to Portland for the annual Les Schwab Teddy Bear Toss game on Saturday, Dec. 6 against Everett at 7 p.m.
Look Back at the Weekend: Nov. 28-30
- With two home wins this week, the Hawks are currently riding a five-game winning streak that started with back-to-back road wins against the CHL’s top team, the Kelowna Rockets. The five consecutive wins have also aided in the teams’ climb in the WHL standings. The team is currently tied with the Spokane Chiefs for second in the U.S. Division.
- The Hawks skated into Moose Jaw, SK on October 17th with the worst record in the WHL. However, that night marked the first time during the 2014-15 season when Head Coach Jamie Kompon had his full regiment of players available to him. The Winterhawks defeated the Warriors 6-2 that night and haven’t looked back, posting 13 wins, 27 points and a .711 winning percentage in the 19 games since.
- Oliver Bjorkstrand has extended his point streak to nine games. He earned points in all but one game in November, with 19 points in 12 games. He recently became the highest-scoring import in Winterhawks history, and his career total is up to 206 points as he approaches the top career spots for goals, assists, and games played by an import. Captain Nic Petan also extended his point streak to four games on Saturday night, where he posted his fourth consecutive two-point game, for a total of 18 points in November.
- Petan has also broken into the top-10 in scoring in Winterhawks history. With 298 career points, he’s just four points shy of the ninth spot held by his former teammate Brendan Leipsic. On Saturday night, Chase De Leo registered his 200th career point when he assisted Miles Koules’ game-winning goal against the Tri-City Americans. He currently has 15 goals and 18 assists for 33 points in 27 games so far this season.
Look Ahead: Dec. 1-7
- Only 144 tickets remain to the annual Les Schwab Teddy Bear Toss this coming Saturday against the Everett Silvertips. When the Hawks score their first goal of the game, fans will throw stuffed animals on the ice at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, which will then be collected and donated to local charities and kids’ organizations.
- The “Pucks and Paws” calendar for the Oregon and Southwest Washington Humane Societies is now available in the Winterhawks’ team store on the concourse at the Coliseum during games. The calendars, which feature photos of Winterhawks players with cats and dogs, are on sale for $20 each. Proceeds benefit the Oregon and Southwest Washington Humane Societies.
- The Hawks return to B.C. this week, this time to play Victoria and Vancouver before returning home to Portland for Saturday’s game against Everett. Tonight, the Hawks meet the Royals just a week after the Hawks took their last meeting in Portland on Nov. 25. The Royals remain in third place in the Western Conference with a record of 15-13-2-0, led by defenseman Joe Hicketts’ 36 points.
- From Victoria, the Hawks will travel to Vancouver to square off against the Giants, who are in last place in the Western Conference, for the first time since Vancouver handed the shorthanded Hawks a 5-3 loss on Sep. 26. The Giants will have a new face behind the bench on Friday when they host the Hawks. On Sunday, they named former Winnipeg Jets head coach Claude Noel as the team’s newest Head Coach.
- Sunday, Dec. 7, the Winterhawks Booster Club and Portland Police Bureau Sunshine Division are teaming up for “Keeping Portland Warm Night.” To donate, fans can bring new socks, gloves, new or gently used blankets, sweaters, and coats to the game. Fans who donate will have the chance to win a stick signed by the 2014-15 Portland Winterhawks that night.
