It's doubtful fans thought the series would go past 4 games, especially with a nearly 50 point difference in the regular season standings, but playoffs, as most know, are a separate season altogether.
In Everett, the Hawks have dominated the series, winning 7-3 and 11-4 before tonight's game, and were hoping to get a few days rest before their second round series begins on Friday. It started with a powerplay for the Hawks, but a little too much pinching allowed Kohl Bauml to free Reid Petryk on a breakaway and he made no mistake going five hole on Mac Carruth to put the Silvertips up 1-0. It would be the Tips only lead of the game. The teams went four aside after a bit of rough stuff in the Portland zone and the penalty kill unit went to work. Taylor Peters was able to provide Seth Jones a neat pass and Jones went backhand to even the score. Oliver Bjorkstrand, who has been looking for some points in the series, picked up two goals, the first after a bit of mucking around the net and followed it up in the second period on the powerplay.
Though the Everett boo birds were out everytime Seth Jones touched the puck, the Winterhawks fans in attendance would cheer as yet another powerplay goal by Jones would put the Hawks up 4-1. The third period seemed anticlimactic as the Tips were only credited with 1 shot on goal in the period and Taylor Leier would finish off the scoring early in the third after several attempts at Austin Lotz finally netted a positive result. While Lotz, the Silvertips 17 year old goaltender, may feel badly about losing the series, the fact that he would face 50 plus shots in 3 games and nearly 40 on the others and still come out with 2 wins in the series, is a testament to just how good he is. He'll be a force to reckon with next season and should be rated well in the summer NHL draft. Tonight's shots on goal Portland 52 Everett 13. Hawks went 2 for 5 on the powerplay, gave up no powerplay goals, but did give up one shorthanded.
Just 1977 fans were announced as the attendance for the game, disappointing for what would be the fans last chance to see the Tips for the season. Three stars: Oliver Bjorkstrand, Seth Jones, Austin Lotz.
The Hawks open round 2 at the Veteran's Memorial Coliseum on Friday before jumping to the Rose Garden on Saturday versus an as yet unknown opponent. Tickets just went on sale Monday night and strong crowds are expected for both games. Tickets can be purchased onlinewww.winterhawks.com or (503) 236-HAWK (4295). Groups of 8 or more can get a discount for either game. The series will shift to the opponents arena likely Tuesday and Wednesday before potentially returning to Portland the following Friday.
Ice Chips: Kamloops Blazers beat Victoria Royals 6-2 to finish their series in 6 games and like the Hawks have to wait for another series to finish before learning where they will play. Kelowna Rockets, currently down 3-2 in the series, play in Seattle vs the Thunderbirds on Tuesday and if necessary Wednesday in Kelowna. Should the Thunderbirds advance, they will face Portland, while Spokane will travel to Kamloops. Should Kelowna win, the Winterhawks will face off versus Spokane at home while Kamloops will travel to Kelowna.
Stuart Kemp is the President of the Portland Winterhawks Booster Club a 501(c)(3) Registered Charity that raises funds for the Player's Continuing Education Fund and Junior Hockey programs. For more information, check out the website www.pwhbc.com
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