The WinterHawks can score goals at a dizzying pace. That is the way Portland wants to play: we can score more than you can. However, when those goals stop coming, the flaws in the WinterHawks’ armor look as large as boulders. Three of the Hawks top four scorers being away at Team Canada’s Junior World Camp did not help either.
The Hawks dropped three of four on their most recent road trip, including a 4-3 loss to the Prince George Cougars, the last place team in the Western Conference. Cougars center Greg Fraser scored twice and added an assist, and Hawks right wing Ty Rattie was held to just a single goal, and a minus-one for the game. This was another poor showing for WinterHawks backup goalie Brendan Burke, who gave up his four goals on just 24 shots. The Hawks also failed to capitalize on four power-play chances.
Coming off the loss, the WinterHawks failed to rally against division rival Seattle, losing 5-3. This led into a trip back to Kennewick to face division leading Tri-City. Rattie, Brad Ross, and Joseph Morrow were at the Team Canada camp, leaving the Hawks dangerously short-handed. To add additional pressure, any thoughts either team had of forgetting Ty Rattie’s taunt in the previous game that sparked a Tri-City rally was forgotten early on as Americans star Adam Hughesman was sent to the box for two early penalties. The rest of the Americans rallied around their star’s aggressiveness, scoring twice early off the sticks of Justin Feser and Connor Rankin. Rankin and Feser have been a thorn in the side of Portland all season long, scoring a combined 16 points in four games.
Brendan Shinnimin scored half-way through the second to give the Americans a 3-0 advantage. Tempers began to flare from a frustrated Portland bench, and left wing Oliver Gabriel, playing because of Ross’s absence, delivered a cheap open-ice hit to Americans winger Jordan Messier. Gabriel was immediately ejected for the hit. Later in the period, Portland center Jason Trott, and Americans defenseman Derek Ryckman got into it, and found themselves watching from the penalty box for the remainder of the game.
Ty Rimmer is one of the best goalies in the league, and being without Ross and Rattie, the Hawks had a daunting task in facing Tri-City. However, there is no excuse for the blatantly illegal hit delivered by Gabriel, who will hopefully be suspended for his disregard for the safety of others. There is no place in hockey for cheap shots.
Portland now sits at 20-11-2, seven points behind Tri-City. They finish their road trip Saturday against Spokane before returning home for five games, opening against Victoria on December 28th.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
