Winterhawks Weekly: Now with 100% More Dumba

The Portland Winterhawks are on a roll and heading into last week, the news just got better, as Matthew Dumba was going to be joining them beginning with the Friday game against Moose Jaw.  In Dumba's debut, the Winterhawks made it easy for him, as they never let the Warriors out of the gate.  Four first period goals from the Winterhawks, courtesy of Keegan Iverson, Paul Bittner, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and Brendan Leipsic, put the Winterhawks up 4-0 after one period.  That was enough to chase Zach Sawchenko from the game, but Justin Paulic would not have much better luck against the Winterhawks this night.  Taylor Leier would score the only goal in the second period, and things were basically sewn up for the Winterhawks at that point.  Sam Fioretti would put the Warriors on the board early in the third period, but that was quickly answered by Winterhawks goals from Derrick Pouliot and Dominic Turgeon, with Dumba registering assists on both goals.  Brayden Point would score for the Warriors to make it 7-2, but Leier would add another goal to make it a 8-2 final and a win for Brendan Burke.

Sunday, the Winterhawks looked to continue their season-long dominance of the Spokane Chiefs as they welcomed them with a Daylight Game, as the curtains of Veterans Memorial Coliseum were opened for the game.  Leipsic would put the Winterhawks up 1-0 after one period on a goal early in the period.  Chase De Leo, Iverson, and Leipsic would add goals in the second period to make it 4-0 after two periods.  Bjorkstrand would add the exclamation mark on the game with a goal in the third period as Burke earned the team's first shutout of the season in a 5-0 win.  Dumba added two more assists in the game, making it four points in his first two games, but he was not finished for the week.

Monday, the Winterhawks welcomed the Vancouver Giants for a game at the Moda Center.  Cain Franson and Pouliot (who was named player of the week in the WHL) exchanged goals in the first period.  However, it would be Dumba that sent the Winterhawks into the first intermission with the 2-1 lead, as he scored his first goal as a Winterhawk late in the period.  A scoreless second period gave way to a Bittner goal to kick off the third period.  Dalton Sward would keep Vancouver in it with a goal to cut the deficit to one.  However, that would be as close as the Giants would get, as Nic Petan would score, with Leipsic adding an empty netter to give the Winterhawks a 5-2 win.  Corbin Boes earned his first home win in the game, making 36 saves.

The Winterhawks will square off with the Everett Silvertips three straight times, with two of those coming this weekend, a home game on Friday and a road game on Sunday.