Feature Game of the Night: Spokane Chiefs @ Portland Winterhawks 6 PM PST
Tonight we head to the US division for our Feature Game of the Night, which features two US Division teams neck and neck in the standings and it is Portland’s annual Teddy Bear Toss game. Spokane (14-8-2-2) sits just two points ahead of Portland (14-10-0-2) in the standings for 2nd place in the only american division in the league.
Spokane comes into tonight’s tilt on game two of an inter-divisional road trip, falling 5-4 in overtime to Everett last night. Prior to that Spokane had won three of its last five, and went 6-3-1-0 in their last ten games, riding a four game point streak. Spokane has some new faces in the lineup after a trade with Kamloops that sent longtime Chief Jeff Faith north along with a third round and sixth round draft pick in 2020, and sent 1998-born forward Luc Smith south.
Luc Smith has had a good start with his new squad. Since arriving in Spokane, Smith has put up three points in three games. Last season in Kamloops as a 19-year-old forward he put up 21 goals, and 23 assists for 44 points in 62 games with the Blazers. Smith should be a good addition for the Chiefs, as the US Division will only continue to get tougher. Chiefs fans can expect Smith to be a tough big body with offensive upside. A more offensive playing style than former Chief Jeff Faith.
Portland enters this contest trying to rebound after back-to-back losses against the Everett Silvertips on November 25th and 28th. Portland fell 5-3, then 4-1 last time out and have since fallen behind the Chiefs in the standings. The Winterhawks are 5-4-0-1 in their last ten, but still boast a decent home record that is 9-5-0-0 coming into this divisional match-up. Portland will look to make it two in a row against the Chiefs, as they took the last game in the season series by an 8-6 score. According to portlandwinterhawks.com, the Winterhawks are almost unstoppable in Teddy Bear Toss games holding a 15-4-1 record in the games they have hosted.
Fanshaw’s Fast Facts
- Ty Smith (SPO) riding a four game point streak (0G, 7A). Leads defenceman scoring in the WHL.
- Teams have each lost one, and won one in the two game season series.
- Joachim Blichfeld (POR) has six points (3G, 3A) in two games against Spokane this season
Leading Scorers:
Riley Woods- SPO- (20G, 17A) Has two goals, and two assists in his last two games.
Joachim Blichfeld- POR- (21G, 25A) third in WHL Scoring
Possible Goaltenders:
Bailey Brkin- SPO- (2.499 GAA, .922 SV%) Holds the fifth best Save Percentage in the WHL
Shane Farkas- POR- (2.885 GAA, .900 SV%) Has played in 24 of Portland’s 26 games this season.
Other Games Around The League:
Prince Albert Raiders (25-1-0-0) @ Regina Pats (8-18-0-0)
- Regina has lost three straight, and has only scored one goal since dealing veterans Nick Henry and Jake Leschyshyn to Lethbridge.
Brandon Wheat Kings (12-7-3-3) @ Swift Current Broncos (4-20-1-1)
- Swift Current has only scored five goals over their last five games
Moose Jaw Warriors (14-5-3-1) @ Red Deer Rebels (17-8-1-0)
- Moose Jaw has quietly been piling up the wins, enter on a seven game winning streak
Edmonton Oil Kings (14-11-2-2) @ Calgary Hitmen (10-14-2-1)
- Edmonton doubled Calgary 6-3 in their only other meeting of 2018-19
Lethbridge Hurricanes (12-8-3-2) @ Medicine Hat Tigers (12-12-1-2)
- Lethbridge is 4-7-1-0 in their last five years at Medicine Hat
Seattle Thunderbirds (9-12-3-0) @ Kamloops Blazers (10-11-1-1)
- Kamloops has not been good at home this season, only post a 3-6-1-0 record at the Sandman Centre
Saskatoon Blades (16-9-3-0) @ Kelowna Rockets (12-15-1-0)
- The Blades have been sharp on the road this season, coming in at 10-5-2-0 in 2018-19
Victoria Royals (12-9-0-0) @ Prince George Cougars (10-13-1-2)
- Both teams enter on three game losing streaks, one of these teams will be happy to see the streak end.
Tri-City Americans (14-9-1-0) @ Vancouver Giants (18-6-2-0)
- The Giants return to the Pacific Coliseum tonight in the first of two games there this season, expect a massive home crowd at the Rink on Renfrew.
Kootenay Ice (7-18-3-1) @ Everett Silvertips (21-7-1-0)
- Everett is red hot, have won their last five games.
