WHL Week 4 Power Rankings: Portland Continues to Struggle

I hate to say it, but the Winterhawks are falling dangerously deeper down a cliff that they will not be able to climb back up from.

The team is equally bad on defense as it is on offense. They scored a goal late against Seattle that I thought might be an early turning point in the season but went on to have a pathetic showing in the shootout. While a point might be a point, having already played the second most games in the league, this team needs to start getting two points. If they keep playing like this, we will not see them in the playoffs, let alone a fifth straight conference title.

I thought the early-season struggles could have just been a fluky slump, but as the games go on it seems to be a continuing trend. Lets hope it will click once the new coach starts to mesh with the players. Their next six games are on the road and we will be able to see if these team can overcome some adversity.

Checkout where the Winterhawks fell in Week 4’s WHL Power Rankings:

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RANK,TEAM,REC,TREND,PREV,COMMENTS

1,,8-0,—,1,”Kelowna Rockets~~Sounds like I am on repeat when I say another weekend without a loss. They have now won their first eight games of the year and have scored at least 4 in each one of them. With that scoring output, I might permanently put them at the top of these rankings. ”
2,,8-1,[icon name=icon-arrow-up] +1,3,”Medicine Hat Tigers~~This team might have the best defense in the league. They have not given up more than two goals in any game this year, including the game they lost. It wouldn’t surprise me if they compete for a title. ”
3,,5-0-2,[icon name=icon-arrow-up] +1,4,”Everett Silvertips~~The only other team (Kelowna) in the league to have no suffered a regulation loss yet. They destroyed the Winterhawks on Friday night in a game that might have proven who belongs where in the Western Conference. ”
4,,6-1-1,[icon name=icon-arrow-down] -2,2,”Brandon Wheat Kings~~I hesitate to keep them in the top five after a bizarre blowout loss to a far inferior opponent this weekend, but with that being the only regulation loss they have had, it could have just been a hockey fluke. They were also on the road; I expect them to rebound this week. ”
5,,6-3-1,[icon name=icon-arrow-up] +2,7,”Kamloops Blazers~~Went 1-1 over the weekend with the loss coming to Western Conference powers Everett. We will see if they can hang with the big boys this week as they look to be the only team to beat Kelowna. With only one loss at home, it is a real opportunity to prove their worth. ”
6,,6-4,[icon name=icon-arrow-up] +6,12,”Tri-City Americans~~Just completed a seven game road trip that saw them collect eight points. It is hard to judge where this team is due to lack of home games. We will have a better sense after they take on Everett and Kelowna this weekend on home ice. ”
7,,6-4,[icon name=icon-arrow-up] +8,15,”Prince George Cougars~~Huge jump this week as they have won five of their last six games. They seem to have a serious home ice advantage as well. They seem to have a budding superstar at goalie in Ty Edmonds who looks to keep them climbing up this board. ”
8,,6-5,[icon name=icon-arrow-down] -3,5,”Swift Current Broncos~~They have played the most games in the league so far so their point total puts them higher up in the standings than some superior teams. But no one can argue that they can play great defense, which should keep them consistent. Back to back shutouts this weekend helped them grab four of six available points. ”
9,,4-3-1,[icon name=icon-arrow-up] +1,10,”Moose Jaw Warriors~~Only had one game over the weekend and won easily. They play very good at home but have yet to win on the road. We are all anxious to see if they buck that trend. The warriors play their next two games at home too, so expect wins out of them.”
10,,4-3-1,[icon name=icon-arrow-down] -1,9,”Regina Pats~~Went 1-1 this past week but didn’t impress me. The next three they play are on the road against inferior opponents, so it will be very interesting to see if they are in the same group as those teams or rise above them. ”
11,,4-3-1,—,11,”Calgary Hitmen~~Decked out in their hot pink jerseys, they handed it to one of the best teams in the league this weekend. Is that a fluke or are they trying to climb the standings. With a home and home against Medicine Hat this week, we will know if they belong. ”
12,,4-4,[icon name=icon-arrow-down] -4,8,”Vancouver Giants~~Lost both games this weekend to Prince George. Goal scoring seemed to be the issue as they only scored one goal in each game. Yes these losses were away from home ice, but one goal in a WHL game will be a loss 99.9% of the time. They have two home games on the docket this weekend to turn things around. ”
13,,2-1-2,[icon name=icon-arrow-up] +1,14,”Spokane Chiefs~~Managed to get one of out a possible two points this weekend not making the weekend a total loss. Still only have one regulation loss on the year but have played the fewest games. The schedule heats up for the Chiefs this week as they play four times including three at home. ”
14,,3-3,[icon name=icon-arrow-down] -1,13,”Edmonton Oil Kings~~Did not play a game this weekend, and you know what they say if you aren’t making progress, you are moving backwards. ”
15,,4-3,[icon name=icon-arrow-up] +2,17,”Seattle Thunderbirds~~This team just finds ways to win, especially in overtime. Three of their four wins have come in overtime or a shootout meaning they have grit. They gave up a tying goal real late to Portland but managed to dominate the shootout and grab two points. Seven out of the next nine are at home, so they have potential to make a serious run. ”
16,,3-4,[icon name=icon-arrow-down] -10,6,”Prince Albert Raiders~~Things were looking so good for them a week ago, but dropped both games over the weekend. They seem to be inconsistent on both sides of the puck. They are going to need to start putting the biscuit in the basket if they want to avoid dropping further in the standings. ”
17,,3-5,[icon name=icon-arrow-down] -1,16,”Red Deer Rebels~~Their winless record must be taken with a grain of salt as it was to two of the best teams in the league. Either way though, a 0-2 weekend means a slip in the rankings. They have a very favorable weekend this weekend though and look to end the skid quick. ”
18,,3-5-1,[icon name=icon-arrow-up] +3,21,”Victoria Royals~~The Royals seem to have some things figured out winning two in a row last week before getting blown out by Medicine Hat 8-2. While the Tigers are clearly better than the Royals, 8-2 should scare any Royals fan. They have four games left on this road trip in which the games won’t get any easier. ”
19,,2-6,[icon name=icon-arrow-down] -1,18,”Kootenay Ice~~It was a forgettable week for the Ice as they dropped all three games they played in and have now lost four in a row. The last two games saw only one goal for the Ice which is certain to keep them losing. ”
20,,1-6-1,[icon name=icon-arrow-down] -1,19,”Lethbridge Hurricanes~~Three road games last week, three losses. With only one win this season, I do not expect them to be making any pushes towards a title. ”
21,,1-7-2,[icon name=icon-arrow-down] -1,20,”Portland Winterhawks~~Another nightmare week for the Winterhawks. For not a last minute goal against the Thunderbirds to salvage one point out of a possible six. If not for that point, I would have them at the basement of these rankings. ”
22,,1-6,—,22,”Saskatoon Blades~~The Blades are not a good hockey team. The team is using the slogan #AWholeNewBlue this season and we can all assume it just means a mood the Blades fans have not felt before. ”

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