Tbirds vs. Hawks - Game 55 · Sunday February 3, 2008

In Sparta, 300 could stop thousands (for a while), for Jordan White the Portland Winter Hawk goalie his 68 saves must of felt like it.

The end was the same though and the sacrifice was complete with 7 minutes to go in the third period when Bud Holloway caught him out of position to score Seattle’s first goal. This was after White stopped 66 shots.

White was the only one holding off the marauding hordes from Seattle adding to their point totals. The Hawks were constantly pinned in their own end.

Isak Quakenbush scored three minutes after Holloway to boost Seattle’s lead to two and then Holloway put the game away with an empty net goal 90 seconds later.

Charles Wells scored Seattle’s final goal with 36 seconds left.

The Tbirds (26-18-5-2) have now taken all eight contests between the two I-5 rivals this season. Holloway has 14 points (11-3-14) in those eight games.

Kudos to Seattle, they are looking like one of the top defensive teams in the WHL. Maybe they just revel in crushing Portland no matter what the record.

Kudos to Gervais and Ponich for letting Seattle know that you don’t get the win without a few lumps.

Next up Vancouver home.

Attendance: 5662
MC – Portland, Or.

 SCORING  1  2  3  Total 
Tbirds  0  0  4  4
Hawks  0  0  0  0

SHOTS  1  2  3  Total 
Tbirds  20  30  22  72
Hawks  11  3  8  22

Game Description
Summary

Three Stars

White (POR), Holloway (SEA), Acolatse (SEA)

Fight Card

Gervais/Hickey – Spirited fight by both.

Edge to Gervais

Ponich/Quakenbush – Nice work Ponich. You gave me something else to praise with that decisive right hand.

Clear winner Ponich.

— S. Blanchard

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Tbirds vs. Hawks - Game 47 · Sunday January 20, 2008

It was another walk in the park for the Seattle Thunderbirds who exploded for five second period goals to defeat the Portland Winter Hawks 7-2. This season Seattle has won the last 7 games with the Hawks by a goal margin of 33-8.

That’s the thing about rivals they don’t care if you have the worst record in the WHL. They enjoy beating you badly every time out. And we are so accommodating.

Coach Kromm had this to say:

“They definitely have our number but they just outworked us tonight,” coach Rich Kromm said. “A lot of times guys come back home and they relax a little bit,” Kromm said. “They think it’s going to be easier back home and it’s always more difficult coming off a road trip.”

The Oregonian had it right:

Watching the group of lucky fans dive onto the ice and scramble for 10,000 dollar pieces was by far the highlight of an otherwise forgettable night for the Hawks.

Even bad games must have some positive. Phil Gervais hit home two rebounds of two Luke Walker shots for Portland’s two scores. Gervais must know something about rivalries.

The new Hawk motto: No scoring, no hitting, no fighting…maybe next year.

Next up Spokane at home.

Attendance: 7701
MC

 SCORING  1  2  3  Total 
Tbirds  1  5  1  7
Hawks  1  0  1  2

SHOTS  1  2  3  Total 
Tbirds  18  15  14  47
Hawks  5  7  6  18

Game Description
Summary

Three Stars

Holloway (SEA), Scott (SEA), Richard (SEA)

Fight Card

No fight in the team tonight.

— S. Blanchard

Comment

Good Bye Matt Betker · Friday January 11, 2008

Good bye and good luck.

Matt you were an on-ice fan favorite. A hard working physical player that was giving your all every time you went out on the ice. This fan was rooting for you and was not disappointed. Every hockey team needs players that sacrifice for the team and are out doing the little things to win.

I can not see how in the short run this improves the team.
The team is mired in losing, but has been showing sighs lately of improvement. New players take time and are not going to provide benefit right away. If you want a team to develop you got to leave it alone and give it time.

Unselfish players like Matt Betker are necessary for this team to grow. But the team tryouts are not over. Colin Redding and Phil Gervais get a try on the stage and the Hawks will need more time to evaluate these players…and have more reasons to lose.

As we say goodbye and good luck, does anyone remember this highlight:

Viktor Sjodin and Matt Betker both scored twice to help the Portland Winter Hawks snap a 10-game losing streak with a 5-2 win over the Seattle Thunderbirds.

— S. Blanchard

Comment

Phil Gervais Dealt to Portland · Friday January 11, 2008

The Portland Winter Hawks have acquired 17 year old forward Phillip Gervais from the Vancouver Giants for a 5th Round Pick in 2009.

Gervais began his WHL Career in Swift Current, where he was a 3rd Round, #52 overall, selection in the 2005 WHL Bantam Draft. Gervais was traded to Vancouver earlier in the season for a 3rd Round pick in 2008.

This is a puzzling move by Hawk management. Especially since they have released two of the teams most popular and hard working players. The Hawks believe Gervais can add more to the team then released Matt Betker or Victor Sjodin.

Is this another 17year old experiment? Are we now going younger, smaller and less physical for a team that was too young, too small and not physical enough before the trade?

— S. Blanchard

Comment

US Divisional News · Friday January 18, 2008

— S. Blanchard

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