Winterhawks celebrate 50 years in style with dominant win in home opener

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Portland Winterhawks kicked off their 50th anniversary season at the newly remodeled Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Saturday night with a 6-3 victory against the Saskatoon Blades.

After five weeks on the road, the Hawks got off to a blazing start at home with Carsyn Dyck scoring two goals and Will McLaughlin adding another in the first period to give Portland an early 3-0 lead. They kept the momentum up in the second, slamming in two back-to back goals midway through the period.

Saskatoon’s Hayden Harsanyi finally found the back of the net at the end of the second, making it 5-1 heading into the third. The Blades would go on to score two more goals, but pulled their goalie on a power play and Portland’s Ryan Miller hit the puck into an empty net with a minute remaining in the game. The Hawks send Saskatoon home with a 6-3 loss.

This is a major win for the Winterhawks who were ranked No. 15 in the Western Hockey League (WHL) heading into this game, while the Saskatoon Blades were fourth. Portland sported gold jerseys and helmets in honor of the 50th anniversary season and announced the Top 50 Winterhawks of All Time before the game.

Portland will next host the Victoria Royals at the Glass Palace Sunday, Oct. 26th at 4 p.m.