The Portland Winterhawks knew as the preseason started that it would be a tough go for the first part of the season. An unprecedented number of Winterhawks players, who had been drafted by NHL clubs, would be out for at least the first two games of the season. Add to that, two injuries to two defensemen, twenty year-old Josh Hanson (broken knuckle) and eighteen year-old Blake Heinrich (concussion from Tri City tournament) meant that the Hawks would rely on very hungry, but exceptionally young talent. Just a few days prior to opening night, Adam DeChamplain, a twenty year-old forward who was expected to lead the blueline, announced his decision to leave the team and head back home to Alberta and play for the Camrose Kodiaks. The Hawks landed another twenty year-old, Travis McEvoy, who had been dropped by Vancouver Giants.
Several players are expected back into next week with exceptions of Oliver Bjorkstrand, who is being held by Columbus Blue Jackets as insurance against a contract impasse with former Winterhawk Ryan Johansen, Nic Petan, who was drafted by Winnipeg Jets last year and will get a stronger look as a nineteen year old, and Brendan Burke, who was drafted by the Arizona Coyotes and whose father, former NHL standout Sean Burke, works for as the goaltending coach. In the meantime, the average age of the players who would take the ice for at least the first two games was under 17 years old.
Jamie Kompon, who took over as general manager and coach this season, is working very hard to have players ready for the upcoming contests, but has a monumental task with dealing with such a young crew.
Opening night saw banners raised in the Moda Center for the US Division and Western Conference Championships. The action against rival Seattle Thunderbirds was what one would expect from long, bitter enemies. Within minutes of puck drop, the referee and linesmen got busy breaking up various scrums and it would continue throughout the game.
Portland opened the scoring on the power play, with Tyson Predinchuk being “Johnny on the Spot” in front of the net to give the home side a one goal lead. Seattle would answer back on the power play ten minutes later and would add three more in the third period to end the game with a 4-1 victory. Adin Hill took the loss in the net, but was very good on several close in shots by the Thunderbirds relentless attack. The Hawks went 1 for 5 on the power play, Seattle went 2 for 7.
The Winterhawks would have less than 24 hours before game two against the revitalized Prince George Cougars. To assess the goaltending situation, seventeen year-old Michael Bullion was given his first ever assignment. Prince George took to the scoresheet early with one of their expected top guns this season, Chase Witala, scoring just over three minutes into the game. Six minutes later, Prince George would add another and take a 2-0 lead into the second period. The Winterhawks added some pressure as Paul Bittner connected to narrow the gap. However, on a shorthanded opportunity, Prince George took back their two goal lead. The third period saw the Cougars add their fourth goal early and all look lost until Layne Viveiros popped one in and just over a minute later, Paul Bittner added his second of the night.
That prompted Prince George coach Mark Holick to call a timeout. Whatever he did at the bench in that thirty seconds seemed to rejuvenate the Cougars as they scored on the power play and then with the Hawks pulling Bullion and trying to pour on the pressure, saw the puck slip out past the blueline and the Cougars made no mistake with the empty net and a 6-3 win. Prince George was 1 for 9 on the power play while the Hawks were 0 for 8.
The Hawks will take the week to make a few adjustments before they head to Vancouver to play the Giants before heading home with back to back games on Saturday and Sunday against the Everett Silvertips.
Ice Chips: The Winterhawks announced a new viewing party location this season. Buffalo Wild Wings at Lloyd Center will air the Friday game versus Vancouver. Other locations will show select games with more information on all the viewing parties at www.winterhawks.com/viewingparties .The Portland Winterhawks Booster Club announced its fan trip schedule including the longest trip by the Booster Club in decades. An 18 hour trek to the most northern WHL franchise in Prince George which is almost half full. Other trips are to US destinations, Kennewick on November 29 and Seattle on March 21. More details are available at www.pwhbc.com
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