DUBNetwork Feature Game of the Night: Portland Winterhawks 2-0-0-0 @ Vancouver Giants 2-0-0-0 7:30PM (PDT)
It’s an early season battle of undefeated teams as the Portland Winterhawks travel to Vancouver to face-off against the Giants. Both teams won there first two games respectively this past weekend. The Giants are coming off a road sweep of the Prince George Cougars where they out scored the them nine to four. Portland, on the other hand, won both of there games at home, defeating the Kamloops Blazers and the Tri-City Americans. Both teams graduated their leading scorers from a year ago. Portland graduated Joachim Blichfeld, the leading scorer in the WHL last season, who is now with the San Jose Sharks organization. The Giants on the other hand saw the departure of Davis Koch who is attending the Los Angeles Kings training camp.
The Winterhawks have seen early offence created by second year forward Cross Hanas. Over the weekend Hanas had two goals and two assists helping the Winterhawks to their two wins. Hanas is coming off a 22 point rookie campaign which included scoring eight goals. On defence, Portland is led by freshly named captain Johnny Ludvig. Johnny is a third round pick by the Florida Panthers from the past year’s draft and is playing in his third year with the Winterhawks.
The Kamloops, B.C. native set career highs in goals, assists and points last season. Another key departure for Portland is Cody Glass, who looks to crack the Vegas Golden Knights roster.
For the Vancouver Giants 19-year-old defenceman Seth Bafaro has been the offensive star for the team so far. Bafaro who had scored 12 points all of last year, has posted five points including two goals already. The Giants power play has been a story early on, operating at 42.9 percent in the first two games. The Giants are getting a huge boost this weekend with the return of standout defenceman Bowen Byram. The Colorado Avalanche first round draft pick, fourth overall, was returned to the Giants after participating in Avalanche training camp. Byram had a outstanding season a year ago. He was able to produce 71 points, including a league-leading 26 goals by a defenceman. Up front Vancouver is looking to import forward Milos Roman to lead their group. Roman, a Calgary Flames draft pick from 2017, recently returned to the Giants after attending Flames training camp. Milos had a 60 point campaign a year ago and is the only drafted forward amongst the Giants. This past week the Giants named their 17th captain in franchise history, Washington Capitals prospect, Alex Kannok-Leipert, will lead the Giants this season. Over the past eight meetings between the two clubs, both teams have won four games with Portland winning all four last season.
Expected in goal:
• Joel Hofer (Portland) – Hofer is the only goalie so far to win two games this early season.
Hofer will get the bulk of the work load this year, after competing in 48 games last year
between the Swift Current Broncos and Portland, collecting 15 wins.
• Trent Miner (Vancouver)-Miner is coming off an impressive second season. He competed in
32 games last year winning 24 of them, including three shut-outs and posting an impressive
1.98 GAA and 0.924 SAV%.
Also in action:
Moose Jaw Warriors @Brandon Wheat Kings 7:30pm CDT
-No Ben McCartney or Ridly Greig for the Wheaties as they serve suspensions. Luka Burzan will be leaned on offensively.
Edmonton Oil Kings @Calgary Hitmen 7pm MDT
-The two teams everyone has as major contenders in the Central Division. Hitmen fan’s first look at Jett Woo with Calgary on home ice.
Red Deer Rebels @Lethbridge Hurricanes 7pm MDT
-Two very young teams. This could come down to the goaltending battle with Carl Tetachuk and Ethan Anders.
Prince Albert Raiders @Regina Pats 7pm MDT
–Brayden Watts to debut with the Raiders. The physical forward will be out there throwing the body around to impress his new teams.
Winnipeg ICE @Saskatoon Blades 7pm MDT
-No goals scored in the Blades home opener last weekend. They will try to make up for last time out against Dean McNabb and the ICE.
Medicine Hat Tigers @Swift Current Broncos 7pm MDT
-The Broncos stunned the Hitmen in OT last week. The top line of Ben King, Ethan Regnier and Joona Kiviniemi will be able to keep up with James Hamblin and co.
Kelowna Rockets @Kamloops Blazers 7pm PDT
–Ryan Hughes‘ debut with the Blazers. The play maker will look to carve up the Rockets defense in front of the home fans.
Prince George Cougars @Victoria Royals 7:05pm PDT
-The Royals stumbled out of the gate in Everett. Now for their home opener. Gary Haden and co. will look to right the ship against the Cougars.
Tri-City Americans @Seattle Thunderbirds 7:35pm PDT
–Kai Uchacz makes his season debut with Seattle. Can Sasha Mutala continue to carry the load with Kyle Olson and Krystof Hrabik away at AHL camps?
