The Portland Winterhawks will play the Prince George Cougars in the Western Conference Finals. In the regular season, Portland went 2-2 against Prince George while splitting both their home and away games. Portland was shut-out the first time they played Prince George. However, the Winterhawks won the second and fourth games against the Cougars. One noteworthy aspect of these matches was the goaltenders. Prince George’s Joshua Ravensbergen started the first three games against Portland. Meanwhile, the Winterhawks started Nicholas Avakyan in all four of their regular season matches.
Prince George’s player to watch this series is Zac Funk. Funk leads the Cougars in goals this postseason with seven goals in nine games. Funk also has eight assists, which gives him the second most points on the team. Against Portland, Funk had four goals and three assists, including a hat-trick the first time they played.
Meanwhile, a developing story this postseason has been the performance of Portland’s defensemen. The Winterhawks’ defense has been heavily involved in their offensive output. Carter Sotheran and Luca Cagnoni are both tied for the third most points on the team. Tyson Jugnauth has four goals, which ties him for the third most goals on Portland this playoff run. Also, all six of Portland’s starting defenseman have at least one goal this postseason.
For the first time this postseason, the Winterhawks won’t have home ice advantage. Game one of this best of seven series takes place Friday, April 26. Portland’s first home game against the Cougars will come on Monday, April 29. Both games will start at 7:00 p.m.
Northwest Sports Desk 