As surprising as it is that the Portland Winterhawks have lost three consecutive games — matching their total number of losses between Jan. 11 and May 4 — it is no mystery why it happened.
The highest scoring team in the Western Hockey League is not scoring goals.
If the Winterhawks don’t outscore the Edmonton Oil Kings Sunday, their season will end with a loss in the Western Hockey League finals for the third time in four seasons.
Tristan Jarry, the Oil Kings goalie, is a big reason for the Winterhawks struggles. Jarry has stopped 98 shots in the last three games. The Winterhawks seemed to have Jarry and the Oil Kings doubting themselves as Portland won the first two games of the series.
Not anymore.
“Tristan got a slow start to the series but he’s turned it on. I think those two wins at home gave him a little bit of confidence,” said Winterhawks forward Nic Petan, who grew up playing hockey with and against Jarry in Delta B.C.
Equally important are the Oil Kings big defensemen, who’s consistent, responsible play has made Portland’s speedy, but small, forwards search for space to turn their skill into goals.
The result is two Portland goals in the last 176 minutes and 30 seconds of hockey, an astounding drought for a team that scored 76 goals in their first 16 playoff games, and average of 4.75 goals per game.
Perhaps nowhere is that more evident than when Portland is on the power play. Portland is scoreless on 11 power plays in the last three games.
The Oil Kings, the best defensive team in the WHL this season, have the highest scoring team in the league wondering what they have to do to score.
After Friday’s Game 5 loss at the Moda Center, Winterhawks coach Mike Johnston noted that several golden chances in Game 5 were sent high over the crossbar.
“You’ve just got to get it on the net and anything can happen,” Johnston said.
Needing wins Sunday and Monday to repeat as WHL champions, Johnston said that if his club equals Friday’s effort it can happen.
We did a lot of good things in (Friday’s) game,” Johnston said. “You push the repeat on that type of game and we’re going to be fine in Game 6.”
CORRECTION — Matt Dumba scored Portland’s second goal on Friday. The report in Saturday’s print edition incorrectly named the player who scored.
