DUBNetwork.ca Game of the Night: Seattle Thunderbirds (13-18-2-1) @Portland Winterhawks (24-6-1-3) 7 pm PST
The I-5 rivalry may not look like much if you are caught up on their wins and loss record and where they sit in the standings. However, the first five games between the two teams have been anything but lopsided.
The young T-Birds have stuck with the first-place team in the U.S. Division and Western Conference, winning two of the five so far.
The two met just three days ago up in Kent where the teams were within a goal of one another until Mason Mannek scored 12:56 into the third period. Reece Newkirk added an empty-net goal giving Portland the 4-1 victory.
18-year-old Reece Newkirk has five points in the series so far and is currently on a ten-game point streak.
Matthew Rempe’s four points paces the Thunderbirds. Last time Seattle visited the Rose City Conner Roulette scored twice, including with 45 seconds left in regulation. The 16-year-old rookie also scored the only goal in the shootout sending Seattle home with two points.
Seattle’s Roddy Ross has a .925 save percentage in three games against Portland this season. In the last two matchups he has turned aside 76-of-82 shots.
Isaiah DiLaura meanwhile faced 59 Thunderbirds shots stopping 53. The 19-year-old has a win and two shootout losses against Seattle this season.
In other WHL Action
Brandon Wheat Kings (16-17-1-2) @ Moose Jaw Warriors (10-19-2-0)
The Wheat Kings are coming off a victory at home over the Regina Pats, while the Warriors also last played against the Pats, though it was a 5-0 loss for Moose Jaw. Times are tough for the Warriors as the team is now second-last in the Eastern Conference of the WHL. The Wheat Kings are just two points back of the Saskatoon Blades for third in the East Division.
Spokane Chiefs (20-11-3-1) @ Tri-City Americans (12-16-4-1)
These two teams met on Saturday in Spokane and the Chiefs came out with a 5-3 victory. The Americans are looking for a spark as the team has sunk to the final wild-card spot and they are tied with the Seattle Thunderbirds for that spot.
