The Portland Winterhawks headed up a day early to Everett on Thursday after handing Everett a decisive loss on Wednesday. Friday, they picked up where they left off. With a five point night from both Brendan by a Leipsic and Ty Rattie, the latter with a hat trick, the Hawks annihilated the Everett Silvertips 11-4. The game was marred by a few stoppages due to fans throwing items onto the ice and hitting players on the Portland bench. Even the Winterhawks broadcasters tweeted that they too had been victims of people throwing bells at them. Brendan Burke, who has yet to start a game in the series, replaced Mac Carruth midway through the third period with the Hawks comfortably in the lead. Carruth had been run into a couple of times in the game and with the result not in doubt, the decision to rest him along with the entire first line, seemed to be the best thing to ensure no injuries occurred. Among the other highlights were Joey Baker and Josh Hanson each getting a goal in the contest, especially with them garnering that many during the regular season. Right at the end of the game, there was a near line brawl, but only three penalties handed out. Portland outshot Everett 38-23, went 3 for 7 on the power play and allowed just one goal on 6 opportunities for the Tips. Three stars were Ty Ratte, Brendan Leipsic and Tyler Wotherspoon. Friday's game had 3132 attending the game, despite this possibly being the last home game for the Tips this year.
Saturday night wasn't the night Hawks fans had hoped for. The game was tight, the Hawks not at their best again, despite having a huge margin in shots. Usually numbers like that would indicate a sweep, but it was Everett who jumped out to a 3-0 lead. Josh Winquist, who has been the shining light for Everett, scored his sixth goal in the series in the first period along with Logan Aasman to lead 2-0. Reid Petryk put the Tips up by 3 midway through the second and it looked like the night was over. Two goals in the third on the power play by the Hawks Derrick Pouliot and Brendan Leipsic, made the game close, but the final minute produced no tying marker. 7093 attended the contest at Veteran's Memorial Coliseum. The Hawks outshot Everett 45-18. The Hawks went 2 for 5 on the power play and allowed no goals on the two Everett opportunities.
Three Stars: Austin Lotz, Joshua Winquist Troy Rutkowski.
Next up for Portland is game six on Monday in Everett where they haven't lost in this series combining for an 18-7 margin in two games. Game seven, if needed is at the Veteran's Memorial Coliseum in Portland on Wednesday.
Viewing parties for all away playoff games are at:
Brix Tavern in Portland (1338 NW Hoyt). Rosebuds in attendance, all-ages venue.
Game Time in Lake Oswego (17880 SW McEwan Road). All-ages venue.
Kenton Station in Portland (8303 N Denver Ave). The Portland Winterhawks Booster Club will be hosting. All-ages venue.
McGillacuddy’s in Portland (11133 NE Halsey St). 21+ venue.
The Rock in Vancouver (2420 Columbia House Blvd., on the Mezzanine Level). All-ages venue.
Sports Page in Beaverton (8590 SW Hall Blvd). Sean “The Pipes” Norris will be hosting. 21+ venue.
Ice Chips: The Eastern Conference first round matchups have ended and the pairings or round two are set. Edmonton beat Kootenay and Calgary beat Swift Current 4 games to 1. Red Deer beat Prince Albert and Medicine Hat beat Saskatoon in 4 straight. Edmonton will now face Medicine Hat and Calgary faces Red Deer.
The Western Conference is still undecided, though Spokane emerged with a 4 games to 1 win over Tri Cities and will wait to see where they play next. Monday will have Portland/ Everett and Kamloops/ Victoria, which could wrap up then. The Kelowna/ Seattle series will go Tuesday and all series will end one way or the other by Wednesday. Round 2 games start Thursday in the Eastern Conference and Friday in the Western Conference.
Stuart Kemp is the President of the Portland Winterhawks Booster Club, a 501(c)(3) registered charity that raises funds for the continuing education of Winterhawks players and to assist in raising funds for Junior Hockey programs.
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