DUBNetwork Feature game of the night: Portland Winterhawks @ Spokane Chiefs 7:05 PM PDT
The Portland Winterhawks face elimination tonight in Spokane against the Chiefs as they look to get back in their all US first round WHL playoff series.
Every game has been very close though, as three of the five games have required overtime, in Game 5, the Chiefs erased a two goal deficit in Portland to force the extra time, then scoring a third unanswered goal to end it just 4:39 into overtime.
Portland didn’t get a special teams opportunity in the game, something Spokane had three of and ultimately proved to be the difference in the tight one goal game.
Some of these one goal games are missing the stardom of Winterhawks leader Cody Glass who has not played in this series due to injury.
The Winterhawks were just under two minutes away from tying the series as they led the game late, but couldn’t hold down the fort.
That’s been the story of this series through five games now, as in back-to-back games the Winterhawks have squandered their leads late in the third stanza.
If you flip the script, and it’s not hard to do, the Winterhawks could theoretically be tied or even ahead in the overall series.
Don’t look now but Portland has not been eliminated in the first round since 2016.
Other WHL Playoff action:
Calgary Hitmen @ Lethbridge Hurricanes (Series tied 2-2) 7 PM MDT
- After being down in the series, Calgary won both of their games on home ice to even up this first round matchup. The Hurricanes try to start up a new storm tonight in front of their own fans after giving up 10 goals in the last two games.
Vancouver Giants @ Seattle Thunderbids (Giants lead series 3-2) 6:05 PM PDT
- In part two of a back-to-back, the Thunderbirds have been good with bounce back games in this series. Vancouver took last night’s game by a 3-2 score thanks to a Dallas Hines goal late in the third. Tonight marks Game 6 between the teams in a very emotional series, with discipline set to play a big factor in who will win tonight in Kent.
Tri-City Americans @ Everett Silvertips (Silvertips lead series 3-1) 7:05 PM PDT
- After only managing to get one win in Games 3 & 4 at home, the Tri-City Americans head into Everett tonight with the threat of elimination. The offense has been a part of the problem for the Ams, or you could even say Dustin Wolf has been ‘that good’ as they’ve only been able to put seven pucks past him in four games of playoff hockey.
Kamloops Blazers @ Victoria Royals (Series tied 2-2) 7:05 PM PDT
- With the drama of Kody McDonald being suspended indefinitely, it will be a telling tale to see how the Royals respond without one of their 20 year old bodies in the lineup. Game 4 in Kamloops was quite the rollercoaster ride, the Blazers played a monster third period to score three unanswered to take it on home ice by a 6-3 score.
