WHL Power Rankings – Week 5: Portland Alone at the Bottom

There is not a whole lot I can say about this Winterhawks team. They give up so many odd man rushes due to poor defensive positioning that I do not see it getting a whole lot better.

What glimmer of hope I had for the Winterhawks is slowly fading after giving up ten goals the Brandon this weekend. Brandon maybe a good team, but the Winterhawks made them look like the Detroit Red Wings.

The coach better throw a wrinkle in his plans or spark a fire under these guys before the hole becomes too deep to climb out of.

Checkout where the Winterhawks fell in Week 5’s WHL Power Rankings:

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RANK,TEAM,REC,TREND,PREV,COMMENTS

1,,10-1,—,1,”Kelowna Rockets~~They have as many wins as the Winterhawks have losses. They finally lost their first game of the season this weekend but to a worthy opponent and won their other two games. They are easily one of the best teams in the league and will be here for a while. ”
2,,9-1-1,—,2,”Medicine Hat Tigers~~Claim three out of four points this weekend and have only one regulation loss on the season. They will compete for a title this year. ”
3,,5-0-2,—,3,”Everett Silvertips~~Still have yet to lose a regulation game. When getting points in the standings is the goal, Everett has accomplished that goal every game this season. With a three game home stand this week, I expect them to remain regulation unbeaten. ”
4,,8-2-1,—,4,”Brandon Wheat Kings~~In their last four home games, they have scored 31 goals. Almost 7.5 goals a game at home! It is almost impossible to lose scoring like that, meaning the Wheat kings will be a force all year. ”
5,,8-4,[icon name=icon-arrow-up] +1,6,”Tri-City Americans~~They belong in the conversation of best teams in the WHL. They went 2-0 this weekend against two teams above them in these rankings. Very impressive weekend after ending a seven game road trip. Two games this week against top caliber opponents should prove they belong. ”
6,,7-3,[icon name=icon-arrow-up] +7,13,”Edmonton Oil Kings~~After taking a weekend off last week, they shoot up the standings to a spot where we all expect them to be. The defending champs won all four games they had this week including Brandon. They are finally finding their form and the rest of the league is on notice. ”
7,,7-5-1,[icon name=icon-arrow-down] -2,5,”Kamloops Blazers~~A 1-2 weekend has them slip a couple spots in the rankings. Can’t seem to put a winning streak together but still manage to win more than they lose, which is a good thing. A more consistent offensive output might make the Blazers more consistent. ”
8,,7-5,[icon name=icon-arrow-down] -1,7,”Prince George Cougars~~A 1-1 weekend was marred by a nine-goal onslaught they received from Vancouver. That is not a good way to end a weekend, but they return home this weekend to right the ship. ”
9,,6-4-1,[icon name=icon-arrow-up] +2,11,”Calgary Hitmen~~A successful 2-1 weekend helped the Hitmen climb the rankings. Taking a thumping from Medicine Hat is nothing to be ashamed about. They also get a chance at revenge against the Tigers next weekend. ”
10,,6-4-1,[icon name=icon-arrow-down] -1,9,”Moose Jaw Warriors~~While you may question the move down in the rankings after a 2-1 weekend, when no teams are losing the Winterhawks, the Warriors did. At home, Moose Jaw gave up six goals to Portland. Luckily, they bounced back to claim a win the next day. With five straight road games coming up, they could be in line for a big move up the rankings. ”
11,,6-4,[icon name=icon-arrow-up] +1,12,”Vancouver Giants~~Two home games, two wins including scoring nine on Saturday. This team has yet to win a road game this season though, and with three road games this week, we will finally see the true potential of this team. ”
12,,4-2-3,[icon name=icon-arrow-up] +1,13,”Spokane Chiefs~~Claimed five out of a possible eight points this week and managed to climb the standings. Had a great effort against Everett and salvaged a point. With four games in the next seven days, we will see what kind of team this is. ”
13,,5-5-1,[icon name=icon-arrow-down] -3,10,”Regina Pats~~The Pats are currently in a stretch that has four games in five days. They have yet to win a game on this stretch. But there is one cure to a losing streak, playing the Winterhawks, and that’s what they get to do for their next game. ”
14,,6-7-1,[icon name=icon-arrow-down] -6,8,”Swift Current Broncos~~The Broncos are currently on a three game losing streak. Like I said in the above line, the best way to end a losing streak is to play the Winterhawks, and that’s exactly who they have next. If Portland can grab a win, expect another big drop next week. ”
15,,6-6-1,[icon name=icon-arrow-up] +3,18,”Victoria Royals~~I didn’t give them much hope earlier this season, but they have climbed back to .500. Having won three of the last four, they are now on a five game home stand looking to continue the momentum. ”
16,,4-6,—,16,”Prince Albert Raiders~~Finally grabbed a win on Saturday following a five game skid. The big struggle for the Raiders seems to be the lack of offensive production. They have three homes games to improve the goal scoring, including a game against the poor defense of the Winterhawks. ”
17,,4-5-2,[icon name=icon-arrow-down] -2,15,”Seattle Thunderbirds~~With four straight losses, the Thunderbirds look nowhere near as good as they did the first week of the year. These thunderbirds do not have a saving grace game with Portland any time soon, so they will need to climb out of it by playing four of next five at home. ”
18,,3-7,[icon name=icon-arrow-up] +1,19,”Kootenay Ice~~Managed to win a game this weekend with only scoring one goal. Even with that win, they have only scored two goals in the last four games, which is never going to win many games. They have some beatable opponents on the horizon, so it will be interesting to see if they can turn this season around. ”
19,,3-7-1,[icon name=icon-arrow-down] -2,17,”Red Deer Rebels~~Five straight losses have the Rebels near the bottom of the rankings. Things should get easier though as they have a home stand coming up against beatable opponents. ”
20,,3-7,[icon name=icon-arrow-up] +2,22,”Saskatoon Blades~~Found a way to climb out of the cellar winning two of the last three. Next four are also at home, so they have an opportunity to build on the momentum. ”
21,,1-8-1,[icon name=icon-arrow-down] -1,20,”Lethbridge Hurricanes~~Got crushed both games last weekend and have now only won one game on ten tries. Only reason they aren’t in last is because the Winterhawks are there. ”
22,,2-8-2,—,22,”Portland Winterhawks~~What more can I say? The got another win…but just gave up TEN goals in the next game. They might have the worst defense in the history of the WHL. They are giving up five goals a game on average, which leaves nobody wondering why they’re losing games. ”

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