Winterhawks Weekly: Hawks’ point streak hits 11 as team sweeps three-in-three
In their second consecutive weekend of three straight games, the Winterhawks started hot and never looked back en route to the U.S. Division trifecta – wins over Tri-City, Seattle and Spokane. Portland enters this week on a four-game winning streak and has recorded at least a point in 11 consecutive games (10-0-0-1). With another strong weekend, the Hawks have leapfrogged Seattle to take second place in the U.S. Division on points.
Hot Hawks:
- Forward Tyson Kozak tallied five goals last weekend, including back-to-back two-goal games on Friday and Saturday. The Winterhawks’ co-captain netted the game-winning goal against both Tri-City and Seattle, then sparked Portland’s comeback with the game-tying tally in the third period on Sunday.
- Forward Cross Hanas lit the lamp in each of Portland’s three games last week and finished the weekend with a flourish, notching four points in the Hawks’ win over Spokane. Hanas totaled eight points last week, and earned CHL Player of the Night honors for his performance on Sunday.
- Forward Marcus Nguyen found the scoresheet in each contest last week to build up a three-game point streak. This stretch marks Nguyen’s third point streak of at least three games this year.
- Defenseman Ryan McCleary showed his offensive prowess last weekend, picking up his third and fourth goals of the year across the three-game set. McCleary opened the scoring on Friday in Tri-City, then came up clutch in overtime against Spokane on Sunday to seal Portland’s weekend sweep.
- Hawks co-captain Clay Hanus enters this week with a four-game point streak after recording an assist in each of last week’s games. Hanus set up two goals on Friday, then one each on Saturday and Sunday to push his streak total to one goal and five assists since Jan. 16.
- Goaltender Taylor Gauthier picked up his fourth and fifth straight wins in a Winterhawks sweater on Saturday and Sunday, keeping his perfect start to life in Portland intact. Gauthier currently leads all WHL netminders (with multiple games played) with a .927% save percentage.
Play of the Week:
It’s time to give the goalies some love. Taylor Gauthier stopped 27 of 28 shots for his second win over Seattle since joining the Winterhawks, but no save was more impressive than his robbery of Conner Roulette to keep the game tied at one late in the first period of Saturday’s tilt.
YOU SERIOUS, @tgoats_35?? 🐢 pic.twitter.com/IdkSENnZKY
— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) January 23, 2022
Weekly Rewind:
Portland 5 at Tri-City 3 (Friday):
The Winterhawks rode a pair of Tyson Kozak tallies and 27 saves from Dante Giannuzzi past the Tri-City Americans 5-3 in Kennewick on Friday.
Portland 5 vs Seattle 1 (Saturday):
A second consecutive two-goal game from Tyson Kozak helped propel the Winterhawks past the Thunderbirds 5-1 on Saturday night. Taylor Gauthier stopped 27 shots to remain perfect in a Portland sweater (4-0-0-0).
Portland 5 vs Spokane 4 OT (Sunday):
Ryan McCleary lit the lamp 2:44 into overtime to help the Winterhawks take a 5-4 victory over the Spokane Chiefs and complete a set of three wins in three straight days.
The Week Ahead:
The Hawks gear up for another set of three consecutive games this weekend, starting with Pride Night against the Prince George Cougars on Friday! Puck drop is at 7 p.m. for that tilt, and you can get your exclusive Winterhawks Pride Night shirt at shopwinterhawks.com.
Next up, Portland heads north to battle with Seattle once more! The Hawks have knocked off the Birds in three straight meetings – can they make it a fourth? Catch the game on Portland’s CW!
Finally, Tri-City returns to Portland for a third meeting in as many weeks between these two teams. It’s a 5 p.m. puck drop between the Winterhawks and Americans on Sunday!
Upcoming Promo Nights:
Friday, Jan. 28 – Pride Night – TICKETS & INFO
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Season Ticket Memberships, 20-Game Plans and Flex Plans are now on sale for the 2021-22 season. To learn more about all available ticketing options, visit Winterhawks.com/Tickets or call our ticket office at 503-236-4295.
The all-new Flex Packs provide even more flexibility, giving you ten ticket vouchers to use any way you want at any regular season game. Ten tickets to one game? Two tickets to five games? Five tickets to two games? Doesn’t matter, any way you want, you got it!
