Kelowna Rockets vs. Portland Winterhawks (Friday): Preview, updates, chat, how to listen and watch the stream

What: The Portland Winterhawks (7-1) take on the Kelowna Rockets (3-6-1) in Western Hockey League action.

When: Friday, October 28, 7pm.

Where: Memorial Coliseum.

Watch: You can stream the game via the CHL TV pay per view (US$6.10 for one game).

Listen: Winterhawks audio.

Follow:

• The box score.
• Get updates and chat before, during, and after the game.

The Portland Winterhawks look to bounce back after a poor game last Saturday in Tri-City, a 7-3 loss that snapped their 7-game winning streak to start the season. They allowed 5 goals in the 1st period to dig a hole way too deep. On the bright side, Gabe Klassen returned from injury, was named captain, and scored a goal for his fourth straight game to start the season; he now has 8 goals in 4 games.

After a pretty sparse schedule, it heats up quickly for Portland. After 2 games in 10 days, they play 6 in the next 10. It starts with a weekend doubleheader with the Kelowna Rockets, as the Winterhawks try to get back on track.

Fromm-Delorme has had points in 7 of his 8 games and had an assist Saturday, although he was -4.

Stefan had his 5-game point streak stopped and only had 1 shot.

Buttazzoni and Bevington were both scratches. The WHL forgot to put out a weekly report this week so their status’s are not clear.

O’Brien has a 5-game point streak.

Leading forwards: Fromm-Delorme (12 points/8 games), O’Brien (10/8), Klassen (8/4), Stefan (7/6), Chyzowski (7/8).

Cagnoni had a poor game Saturday, almost his first poor one of the season. He was rated a B prospect by Central Scouting during the week; Sotheran was rated a C.

Leading defensemen: Cagnoni (8/8), Sotheran (6/8), Ryder Thompson (4/7).

Tough night for goalies Saturday, especially for Giannuzzi who gave up 4 goals on 8 shots. That may have put the goalie job back wide open. You would guess each goalie would get a game this weekend and then they’re re-evaluate.

Save percentages: Giannuzzi .873, Špunar .908.

It’s been a poor start to the season for the Kelowna Rockets, ever since they lost an almost unlosable game to Portland on their opening night. They’ve lost 4 games in a row, the last 3 at home, the one before that to the Victoria Royals, probably the worst team in the conference. They had a disastrous result in their last game Friday night, tying the co-league favorites, the Winnipeg Ice, at 4-4 with a 6-on-5 goal with 30 seconds left in the game, only to give up the winner to the Ice 7 seconds later, not even getting a point in the standings.

They’ve gotten 20-year-old goalie Talyn Boyko back, although he’s been off to a poor start. They’ve played the top teams tough–one-goal losses to Seattle, Everett, Winnipeg, and Portland, so they’ve been close and they’ll hope to get over the hump this weekend.

Cristall and Szturc are the big guns. Cristall was rated as a B prospect during the week. Along with Szturc, Kydd had 4 points against Portland in their previous matchup; Cristall had 2 goals.

Leading forwards: Szturc (16/10), Cristall (15/10), Kydd (10/10), Flamand (6/10), Kovacevic (6/10).

Price is their other rated prospect; he was also a B.

Leading defensemen: Price (8/10), Carmichael (7/9), Dorey (2/10).

Kykkanen had the top job in the first 6 games before Boyko returned. He played well in their wins, but was lit up pretty good in their losses.

You would guess each goalie would get one game, but it’s not set in stone.

Save percentages: Kykkanen .883, Boyko .873.

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