The Portland Winterhawks and Kelowna Rockets semifinal series is shaping up to be a classic right down to the wire. The first two games were split with 3-2 scores in Kelowna before the series shifted to Portland. Game three saw the Hawks pick up three second period goals and yet another standout performance by Adin Hill in the Portland net as they waxed the Rockets 7-3. Just one night later, the Rockets, desperate to avoid heading back to Kelowna down 3-1 in the series, did everything they did in game one to hold back the strong Portland power. Portland did open the scoring as they have in every game in this series, but Kelowna was able to break down the walls of Hill and led at one point by two goals. Portland would add one late in the game, but the Rockets held on for a 3-2 win and deadlocking the series at two games each. Games are guaranteed in Kelowna on Friday, in Portland on Sunday at the Moda Center. If a game seven is needed, it would be Tuesday in Kelowna. Kelowna is missing a couple of key players, Justin Kirkland, who has yet to suit up this series and leading scorer Rourke Chartier who was injured in game three and did not play in game four.
The Calgary Hitmen are in some serious trouble after losing to Brandon 8-3 the other night. Calgary had lost the first two games in Brandon 9-4 and 3-2 in overtime before winning an overtime contest 2-1. The Hitmen are missing several key players and will get Jake Virtanen from suspension just in time for game five in Brandon. Leading scorer Adam Tambellini appears to be suffering as does starting goaltender Brendan Burke, who gave up three goals on just ten shots in the most recent game. The Hitmen are missing fully half of their scoring power in this series which is forcing the goaltenders to work that much harder to keep the team in the hunt. Brandon hosts game 5 on Friday and can close out. If further games are needed, they would be Sunday in Calgary and Tuesday in Brandon.
The WHL Final would begin Friday, May 8 and would be the first time a charter flight could be used provided both teams are in agreement to share the plane.
The rest of the Canadian Hockey League is winding down its finals as well. The Quebec Ramparts, who will host the Memorial Cup this year are also in the finals for the QMJHL Cup. The Rimouski Oceanic, who last hosted the Memorial Cup in 2009 are the opposition for Quebec and owing to the format of the Memorial Cup, are also guaranteed a berth as the QMJHL representative. In the Ontario Hockey League, the Erie Otters are now up three games to two their series with the Sault Saint Marie Greyhounds with a 3-2 win Thursday, with projected NHL first round draft pick Connor McDavid leading the way. The Oshawa Generals and North Bay Battalion are tied at two games apiece with the series to be wrapped up by Monday.
In what has been the worst kept secret, Caleb Jones, the younger brother of Nashville Predator and former Portland Winterhawks defenseman Seth Jones, has announced that he has signed with Portland for next season. Jones, also a defenseman, has great potential in Portland after racking up 24 points in 65 games in the US Developmental Program and was part of the US Under-18 program to win the goal medal in Switzerland where he tallied five assists in the seven games he played. Near the start of April, Twitter was abuzz as the team Caleb was playing for in Texas announced of Caleb’s intention of joining the Winterhawks next season. With the Hawks losing overage veterans Josh Hanson and Adam Henry on the backline, Caleb’s addition will soften the blow somewhat.
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