Gameday Preview: Spokane Chiefs @ Portland Winterhawks

DUBNetwork Game of the Night: Spokane Chiefs (27-17-4-1)  @ Portland Winterhawks(35-7-2-4) 7:00 PM PST

The division rivals meet for the sixth time this season, they will play a total of eight games against each other. Portland has been dominant in the series thus far, holding a 4-0-1-0 record to that of Spokane (1-4-0-0). The Winterhawks have a 17 point lead in the US Division over the Chiefs, as they currently sit in third in the US Division.

Only one game of the previous five has been settled by more than two goals and that game was back in late October. Of the last three games, each was within a goal until the final moments and the Winterhawks sealed the game with a late empty-net goal.

Adam Beckman (Photo- Portland Winterhawks/Megan Connelly)

The Chiefs are able to boast the leagues leading goal scorer and point-getter in Adam Beckman. The Minnesota Wild draft pick is having a season for the ages, scoring 36 goals and assisting on 42 others. He has a one-point lead on James Hamblin for most in the WHL this season. The Wild have yet to sign him to an entry-level contract. Not far behind him is 19-year-old Eli Zummack. He has 18 goals and 41 assists in 49 games for the Chiefs. Rounding out the top-three scorers for the Chiefs is Luke Toporowski, he has 17 goals and 25 assists.

Portland counters with a trio of forwards, one of which is only draft-eligible this season. Seth Jarvis has slid into sixth in the WHL with 26 goals and 38 assists. Not to be outdone New York Islanders draft pick Reece Newkirk has also climbed the point-scoring charts with 23 goals and 33 assists, he’s put himself on the Islanders radar to be signed. 20-year-old Jake Gricius has attained 50 points on the season, he has 17 goals and 33 assists.

Johnny Ludvig (Photo- Portland Winterhawks/Keith Dwiggins)

Heading towards 50 points is Florida Panthers draft pick, Johnny Ludvig. He’s already surpassed his career-best point totals scoring 14 goals and adding 29 assists. Ludvig is making a case to be signed by the Panthers. Clay Hanus is on his way to a career-best season, he’s potted nine goals and added 12 assists. He is listed as day-to-day on today’s injury report.

Spokane has two of the most offensively explosive defensemen in the WHL. Filip Kral has 11 goals and 31 assists to lead the way for the Chiefs. Not far behind is New Jersey Devils draft pick, Ty Smith. He’s missed time with Team Canada as well as an NHL training camp and still has a point-per-game season underway. He’s scored eight goals and added 23 assists. Spokane is without Jordan Chudley (week-to-week), Campbell Arnold (indefinite) and Matthew Leduc (indefinite)

Joel Hofer is expected to get the start tonight between the pipes for the Winterhawks. He’s tied for the league lead in wins with 26 and has just nine losses on the season (26-5-2-2). He is fifth in the WHL with a 2.21 goals-against average. His .921 save percentage is also top-10 in the WHL.

The Chiefs are likely to counter with James Porter Jr. The 19-year-old netminder has played in just five games this season but has won his last three contests. His 2.11 goals-against average would put him among the league leaders based on a whole season.

Both teams are in the top-five on the power play. Portland is slightly ahead in fourth at 23.5% success. Spokane is fifth at 23.2%. The Winterhawks penalty kill is also very good, currently third in the WHL at 86.6%. Spokane struggles at 77.7% good for 15th.

You can watch tonight’s game on WHL Live

You can listen to the Chiefs broadcast HERE 

You can listen to the Winterhawks broadcast HERE

In other WHL action:

Seattle Thunderbirds (20-22-3-2) @ Prince George Cougars (14-26-3-4)

First of four games between the two teams in 2019-2020. They will play each other three times in six days. 10 points separate the two teams with the Thunderbirds holding onto the final playoff spot in the WHL’s Western Conference.

Tri-City Americans (15-27-4-1) @ Vancouver Giants (22-20-3-2)

Vancouver has recently started to figure it out, as they have points in four straight games. The Americans are coming off a win in Prince George. The Giants have won two of three contests against the Americans this season, the last win coming on December 8th.