Rattie Sets Franchise Record in 7-2 Game One Victory

Ty Rattie set the Winterhawks franchise record for playoff points at 72, in style with a 3rd period hat trick. His 3 goals put the game out of reach for the visiting Spokane Chiefs. Portland takes the 1-0 lead into the Rose Garden for tonight's game 2.

Mike Aviani

Portland's second line came out flying, showing a ton of confidence against the team they combined for 16 points in a game on. After a flurry of chances, Tyler Wotherspoon's point shot hit Chase De Leo's skate and ended up on the stick of Taylor Leier. Leier fired spinning shot on net and beat Spokane goalie Eric Williams to open the scoring 5:46 into the game. Spokane would answer less then 4 minutes later after good sustained pressure from their 3rd line. Mike Aviani finally beat Mac Carruth after receiving a feed from Defense-man Brenden Kichton. We would go into the locker-room tied at 1.

Derrick Pouliot

The second period would be far more eventful then the first, starting with a shot from Taylor Leier that Williams turned away. Oliver Bjorkstrand was all over the rebound however and backhanded it past the sprawling Chief's goalie. Spokane would answer yet again when on the power play, Mac Carruth could not play in the puck outside the trapezoid behind his net. Derrick Pouliot mis-judged the play and Spokane's Todd Fiddler beat him to the puck. Fiddler then went with a wrap around that he fired upstairs tying the game at 2. Portland would take over starting while 4 on 4 play was commencing. Pouliot fired  shot off William's pad right to a waiting Bjorkstrand for the 3-2 lead. Then the highlight of the night and possibly the year happened as Pouliot took the puck on an end to end rush, beating 4 different Chiefs on his way to sniping it upstairs on Williams for a 4-1 lead to end the second.

It would only get worse for Williams and Spokane in the 3rd, after Spokane's high tempo fore check caused them to be out of position on a 2 on 1 rush that Rattie finished only 47 seconds into the 3rd period. Rattie would score again 5 minutes later when Brendan Leipsic realizing Williams did not have his stick, brought it into the crease and fired a back door pass that Rattie put home. Rattie would finish the natural hat trick and franchise record setting goal, with 3:37 left in the game, receiving a sweet pass from Pouliot that he hammered home to end the scoring in the game at 7-2.


Carruth was much better in this game, then he was last series, showing he is probably better when facing more shots. He made 38 saves on 40 shots. Portland was outshot for the first time this playoff as they put 39shots on goal, of which, Williams turned away 32. Portland had by far the larger amount of quality scoring chances, however.

Portland's vaunted powerplay was not as good in this one, scoring on 2 of their 8 chances and giving upa short handed goal. Spokane was 0/3 on their pp opportunities.

3 Stars:
#3- Oliver Bjorkstrand- 2 very  for the Hawks in the early going and 1 assist as well.  His line helped set the tempo for the Hawks in the game.
#2- Derrick Pouliot- 1 very impressive goal and 3 assists. Besides the gaffe on the Fiddler goal,was easily the Hawk's best D-man in this one showing off his superb talent.
#1- Ty Rattie- It was Rattie's night on Friday and we were all their to witness it. He got the natural hat trick and the franchise record and had many more scoring chances come off his stick as well.

Ty Rattie

Random Notes:
-Several Cheifs lost their composure late in the game. Both Reid Gow and Jackson Playfair were given 10 minute misconduct penalties as the referees tried to control the game.
- Mac Carruth tied the WHL playoff record for victories, previously held alone by former Red Deer Rebel Cam Ward, at 38.
-Bjorkstrand has 7 pts in his last 2 games.
-Rattie has 28 goals in his last 28 playoff games.
-Rattie and Pouliot are now sitting in second place in playoff scoring with 13, one behind Kamloop'a: J.C. Lipon.
-Edgars Kulda had 1 goal and 2 assists for Edmonton in their 4-1 game one victory over Medicine Hat.
-Calgary took a 2-0 series lead over Red Deer with a 2-1 victory.