December 8 Weekly Preview
The Winterhawks play at home on Friday after they posted back-to-back victories this past weekend. On Saturday, the team defeated Everett 5-3 in the annual Les Schwab Teddy Bear Toss game. The Hawks took on Medicine Hat last night, winning by a score of 4-1.
Look Back at the Weekend: Dec. 5-7
- The Hawks have won eight out of their last nine games, and are just a point behind the Everett Silvertips for first place in the U.S. Division. Since Head Coach Jamie Kompon had his full roster on Oct. 17 in Moose Jaw, SK, the Hawks have a record of 15-6-0-1. In addition to their six straight wins on home ice, the team has also compiled a record of 7-2-0-1 in their last ten games against the top-five teams in the league.
- Paul Bittner scored the Winterhawks’ first goal on Saturday night against Everett to bring a shower of 10,578 stuffed animals down onto the ice in the annual Les Schwab Teddy Bear Toss game. The teddy bears will be donated to local children’s hospitals and charitable organizations in time for the holidays.
- The U.S. Division could see a lot of movement in the next few weeks, as Portland will play its next 10 games against divisional rivals. They close out the first half of the season this weekend at home against Spokane and then on the road in Seattle and Tri-Cities. Following the holiday break, they’ll play seven straight games within the division.
- Captain Nic Petan is now tied with former teammate Brendan Leipsic for ninth place in Winterhawks scoring history with 302 career points. Petan and Leipsic were no strangers to ties; the teammates shared the Bob Clarke Trophy for the highest scoring player in the WHL after they finished the 2012-13 regular season with 120 points apiece
Look Ahead: Dec. 8-14
- This Friday, Dec. 12, is the annual KPTV Les Schwab Toy Drive to collect toys for local children in need. Fans are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys to donate at the game to help brighten the holidays.
- Only one home game remains before the Hawks head home for the holiday break. After playing at the Coliseum on Friday night against Spokane, the Hawks travel to Seattle on Saturday and then Kennewick on Sunday to wrap up the first half of the regular season.
- Petan and forward Chase De Leo will spend part of their holiday break at national junior team selection camps for their respective countries. This week, Petan will head to Toronto for Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Check selection camp, looking to make the Canadian team for the second consecutive year. De Leo will attend the USA National Junior Team’s Selection Camp in Boston next week. Oliver Bjorkstrand is also expected to play for his home country of Denmark in the upcoming World Junior Championship at the end of the month. Last year, he led Denmark to a win in the tournament’s B Pool to advance his team to this year’s main World Junior Tournament.
- Need a unique and useful holiday gift for the Hawks fan in your life? The “Pucks and Paws” calendar for the Oregon and Southwest Washington Humane Societies is 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.
