In their fourth meeting of the season, the Tri-City Americans (13-16-4-1 ) travel to Portland to face off with the Winterhawks (26-6-1-3) 6:00 PM (PST).
Portland has dominated the season series so far winning all three previous games, including the most recent battle a 3-2 overtime triumph back on December 27.
Both teams are coming off victories over the Spokane Chiefs. The Americans defeated the Chiefs 5-4 in overtime on December 31 to pick up just their second win in the last ten games, while the Winterhawks beat the Chiefs four days later, a 6-4 win in Spokane to push their win streak to four in-a-row and they have collected points in 11 straight games.
Portland improved its record to 11-0-1-2 against the US division this season last night. Both teams are playing the game shorthanded as Portland goaltender Joel Hofer, is competing for Team Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships. Simon Knak is still on his way back after playing for Switzerland. The Americans recently completed four different trades this week and the one active WHL players coming back their way – James Malm – did not report to the team.
Coming into tonight’s action the Americans have only two wins in their last 16 games.
The biggest of their recent trades were the deals that saw the team move out team captain Kyle Olson to the Calgary Hitmen and goalie Beck Warm to the Edmonton Oil Kings.
This year’s squad has been led offensively by forward Sasha Mutala. With 39 points in 33 games including a team-leading 11 goals. Mutala sits just two points behind his career-high 41 points which he set last season with the Americans. Helping Mutala upfront is Connor Bouchard. Now in his third full season with the Americans, Bouchard has 25 points in 34 games. Like Mutala, Bouchard set his career-high in points last season with 31.
U.S. Division-leading Portland just continues to roll. Points in 11 straight games including wins in 10 of those games and four straight wins overall. Portland has been one of the hottest teams in the entire league. Despite missing Hofer for close to a month, the Winterhawks haven’t missed a beat.
The team has been led by New York Islanders prospect, forward Reece Newkirk. Newkirk was selected in the fifth round by the Islanders in last year’s NHL entry draft, has 43 points in 34 games including 16 goals. Last season in 68 games played, Newkirk posted career highs in all offensive categories including scoring 23 times, while adding 36 assists. He enters Saturday’s game on a 12 game points streak.
Helping Newkirk is a fellow 2019 NHL draft pick, Johnny Ludvig. Ludvig was selected by the Florida Panthers in the third round. The Kamloops, BC native, in his third season with the Winterhawks, has scored 11 times this season and added 18 assists in 36 games. Last season Ludvig posted 18 points in 58 games.
First-year import Knak has not disappointed in his first season in the WHL. Coming over from Zurich, Switzerland, Knak has posted 18 points in 25 games. Knak joined Hofer in representing his country at the World Junior Championships, as the forward played for Team Switzerland. Knak recently wrapped up his World Junior experience with Switzerland after a 3-1 loss to Russia in the quarterfinal round. The first-year Winterhawk put together a strong campaign with his native country, scoring two goals in five games. Since Knak is just 17-years-old, he can look forward to playing two more years at the World Juniors. Hofer and Knak are the 20th and 21st Winterhawks to compete at the event this decade.
Expected in goal:
- Talyn Boyko (Tri-City) – Boyko, has been thrust into the starting role with the recent trade of Beck Warm to the Edmonton Oil Kings. Boyko is in his second season with the Americans playing in eight games so far. Boyko has four wins in those eight appearances and has a 3.02GAA and a .930 save percentage.
- Dante Giannuzzi (Portland) – The 17-year-old is expected to start his first game at home in his WHL career. All of his previous WHL experiences have come on the road. In his two starts since being called up while Hofer is away at World Juniors, Giannuzzi is 2-0 with a 1.49 goals-against average and 0.935 save percentage.
Others in action:
Swift Current Broncos @ Regina Pats 7pm CST
– The two teams meet again for the back half of a home-and-home series. Swift Current won at home in a 12 goal game 7-5. Ethan Regnier led the way for the Broncos with a goal and three assists. Regina made a trade today sending 14 goal scorer Ty Kolle to the Everett Silvertips.
Prince Albert Raiders @ Winnipeg ICE 7:30pm CST
– The top two teams in the East Division drop the puck on Saturday night. A Prince Albert Raiders win in regulation puts the Raiders into a tie with the ICE. Winnipeg is 8-2-0-0 in their last ten games helping them jump to the top of the standings. Boston Bilous has 15 wins in net for the defending WHL champion Raiders.
Calgary Hitmen @ Lethbridge Hurricanes 7pm MST
– The Hitmen acquired Kyle Olson from Tri-City, who has been out with an injury, in exchange for James Malm. Calgary is without Egor Zamula who is away at World Juniors. Lethbridge is in a similar spot with Dylan Cozens for Canada.
Moose Jaw Warriors @ Red Deer Rebels 7pm MST
– Red Deer is coming off an overtime loss to Saskatoon last night where penalties proved costly. Moose Jaw enters the night 16th in the league with a 17.6% success rate. Ryder Korczak has 37 points in 33 games to lead the Warriors in scoring.
Seattle Thunderbirds @ Medicine Hat Tigers 7:30pm MST
– Coming off an overtime win in Lethbridge last night, Seattle looks to continue to make ground in the race for the second wild card position. Henrik Rybinski returned to the lineup, scoring a goal, after missing a game with an injury. Meanwhile, Medicine Hat defeated Calgary 5-2 at home behind two goals by James Hamblin.
Victoria Royals @ Kamloops Blazers 7pm PST
– Kaid Oliver scored twice last night against the Kelowna in a 2-1 win. The victory was the Victoria’s fourth in a row. The Blazers are five points ahead of the Royals in the B.C. Division. Connor Zary is playing in the CHL Top Prospects game and is having a strong draft-eligible season with 22 goals and 25 assists in 34 games played.
Everett Silvertips @ Prince George Cougars 7pm PST
– The Cougars have upset the Silvertips in both games this season by a score of 4-3. Last night Ryan Schoettler scored the game winning goal with 9:34 left in the third period. With two goals on Friday, Bryce Kindopp now has sole possession of the WHL goal scoring lead with 30 goals.
Vancouver Giants @ Kelowna Rockets 7:05pm PST
– Both Kelowna and Vancouver have four wins in their last ten games. The Rockets have a four point advantage in the standings over the Giants with 32 games remaining. Bowen Byram and Nolan Foote will be playing for gold tomorrow at the World Juniors. Vancouver has won all three meetings so far this season.
