DUBNetwork Feature Game of the Night: Silvertips @ Winterhawks 5 PM PST
The top two teams in the US Division do battle tonight in the Rose City in their eighth meeting of the season. Expect tonight to have a special atmosphere to it, almost like one we see in the springtime for the playoffs.
The Everett Silvertips (33-10-1-1) are coming off their tenth loss of the season last night against the Kelowna Rockets. Everett sits 11 points up on second place Portland in the division coming into this one. Last night was a bit of an anomaly for Everett, who were only shut out for the second time this season. The ‘Tips are 5-2-0-0 vs. Portland in the season series this season, last time out a 4-1 Everett victory on November 28th.
Connor Dewar has nine points against the Portland Winterhawks coming into this one, as he looks to continue his dominance tonight. Last night proving to be the first time in over a month the Silvertips leading scorer did not have a point. Dewar has been nothing but sensational this season, good for 58 points in 41 points this season.
The Portland Winterhawks (26-12-3-2) are coming off a 5-4 win over Saskatoon back on January 12th. The Winterawks are fresh off a stellar eastern road swing claiming victory in five of six possible games, their only loss on the trip coming at the hands of the notorious Prince Albert Raiders. Portland has been on the rise of late, getting points in nine of their last ten games. Even though Portland can’t call themselves division leaders, they do lead the Western Conference with 181 goals scored to date, the next closest team in the west being the Spokane Chiefs at 158 on the season.
One of the newest Winterhawks forwards Josh Paterson has just played two games with the club, but in those games he’s already become a welcome addition. It’s no secret the Portland Winterhawks love offense, throughout the years boasting some of the most elite players to come through the Western Hockey League, many of whom are now playing in the NHL. Paterson who has two goals in two games so far with the team, is another offensive weapon for a Winterhawks team who always seem to be contenders year after year for the playoffs.
Who to watch:
- Connor Dewar (EVT) 29G, 29A- Surely Dewar will be at the top of his game tonight, he sits just one assist shy of matching his career high 30 assists last season.
- Cody Glass (POR) 12G, 46A- Glass continues to contribute for Portland, he has four points in his last four games.
Starting in net:
- Dustin Wolf (EVT) 1.826 GAA, .929 SV%- Has played in every game vs. Portland this season for the Silvertips.
- Joel Hofer (POR) 3.990 GAA, .903 SV%- Has only started in one game for Portland, allowing three goals on 26 shots vs. Prince Albert
Other Games:
Calgary Hitmen (21-17-3-1) @ Edmonton Oil Kings (24-14-4-4)
- Fourth meeting of the season, last meeting was an offensive cooking show by the Oil Kings beating the Hitmen 7-3 on December 28th.
Kootenay Ice (10-29-7-1) @ Brandon Wheat Kings (18-18-3-3)
- Season series is tied at one, Ridly Greig (BDN) had a goal in overtime last game to top the Ice by a 5-4 score.
Saskatoon Blades (27-13-6-0) @ Regina Pats (12-32-1-1)
- Regina enters play tonight trying to end a nine game losing streak.
Lethbridge Hurricanes (23-13-4-4) @ Red Deer Rebels (26-13-2-1)
- Red Deer looks to keep rolling on their current four game winning streak, last night they beat Lethbridge by a 3-1 score.
Swift Current Broncos (9-32-2-1) @ Medicine Hat Tigers (25-16-2-2)
- Hot Tigers! Medicine Hat is 8-1-1-0 in their last ten games, game two of a doubleheader in which Swift Current fell by a score of 3-1 last night.
Prince Albert Raiders (39-5-0-1) @ Kelowna Rockets (18-22-3-1)
- Prince Albert is 2-0-0-0 on their western road trip thus far, looking to continue that trend against a Rockets team who shut out the Everett Silvertips last night at Angel of the Winds Arena.
Kamloops Blazers (15-24-2-1) @ Prince George Cougars (16-23-1-2)
- The Cougars are looking to get back in the season series as the Blazers lead 3-0 in that category, last game out was a hardfought 2-1 victory by Kamloops on December 30th.
Victoria Royals (22-18-1-0) @ Seattle Thunderbirds (15-21-4-1)
- First meeting of the season, last season Victoria swept Seattle winning in all four games in the 2017-18 regular season.
Tri-City Americans (22-16-2-1) @ Spokane Chiefs (24-14-2-2)
- Tri-City leads the season series 3-2, last game was an offensive showing from Spokane that took down the Ams by an 8-3 score.
Moose Jaw Warriors (24-11-5-2) @ Vancouver Giants (28-12-2-0)
- Moose Jaw looks to continue their onslaught of BC Division opponents tonight as they’ve cleaned up against three teams so far on their western road swing.
