DUBNetwork Feature Game of the night: Spokane Chiefs @ Portland Winterhawks 7 PM PDT
With this all US Division series tied at one-a-piece heading into the Rose City and arguably one of the most hostile playoff environments in the league, all eyes point to Portland now who have stolen home ice advantage in the series after splitting on the road.
Game 1 had five unanswered goals from the Chiefs to power themselves over the Winterhawks.
Game 2 told a different tale with Portland finishing off Spokane with a big four goal third period.
Keep in mind, Portland has been playing without one of their biggest weapons in Cody Glass, and without him the ‘Hawks top line was held to just two assists on the five team goals.
Josh Paterson scored himself two points on back-to-back nights, something the mid-season acquisition was put in the lineup to do.
With Spokane heading into the Veterans Memorial Coliseum for Game 3 tonight, it will be important to generate momentum quickly before the crowd gets into the game and gets into the minds of the players.
Something the Winterhawks will have to be aware of is a Spokane Chiefs powerplay that is red hot, going a combined three for five in games 1 and 2.
Portland has not confirmed or denied Cody Glass will or won’t play tonight and John Ludvig remains suspended, two players that Head Coach Mike Johnston might have to make do without.
On the Spokane side, defenseman Nolan Reid left Game 1 early and missed Game 2, whether he plays tonight is still unknown.
Other series on the go:
Saskatoon Blades @ Moose Jaw Warriors (Saskatoon leads 2-0) 7 PM MDT
- Moose Jaw heads home as they find themselves down two games in the series, looking to salvage a game on home ice to keep the series away from a four game sweep. Saskatoon took Game 1 by a score of 3-2 in overtime, while they took Game 2 in regulation by a score of 3-1.
Prince Albert Raiders @ Red Deer Rebels (Prince Albert leads 2-0) 7 PM MDT
- In a similar situation as Moose Jaw, the Rebels find themselves needing to turn things around after being beaten 3-0 and 6-4 respectively in the first two games of the series.
Edmonton Oil Kings @ Medicine Hat Tigers (series tied 1-1) 7 PM MDT
- After sneaking out a Game 1 victory, the Oil Kings outshot the Tigers 41-21 and won 4-3 in Game 2 of the series. Heading into Medicine Hat, the Oil Kings have been throwing everything and the kitchen sink with little success to show. With Mads Sogaard set to start again, his team will need a stellar performance to take back the series lead tonight.
Lethbridge Hurricanes @ Calgary Hitmen (Lethbridge leads 2-0) 7 PM MDT
- The offensively loaded Hurricanes did damage in the first two games of the series, scoring a combined seven goals in two games while holding down the fort on the back end. With the Hitmen now at home for games 3 and 4, the ‘Canes will have to stay consistent to keep the storm alive.
Victoria Royals @ Kamloops Blazers (series tied 1-1) 7 PM MDT
- Victoria made a statement in Game 1 on the island blanking the Blazers by a 4-0 score, but the boys from Kamloops came out in Game 2 and turned the tables coming out with a 4-3 overtime victory and home ice advantage in the series heading into Game 3.
Vancouver Giants @ Seattle Thunderbirds (series tied 1-1) 7:05 PM PDT
- After being absolutely run out of the building in Game 1, the T-Birds returned the favour to the Giants on their own ice by taking Game 2 by a 4-1 score something that nobody could’ve predicted. This series heads south of the border with a struggling Giants powerplay and no Justin Sourdiff for the G-men.
