WHL Power Rankings – Week 25: Portland Reaches New High Point

The Winterhawks continue to put it all on the table. Yeah, in the standings they are now further back in points this week than last week, but have now two games in hand and a game against the Silvertips this week.

It has been ten straight games since the Winterhawks last lost a regulation game. If there is one team that could compete with the Rockets for Western Conference champions, the Winterhawks sure are peaking at the right time to challenge for it. It makes hockey fans in Portland wonder what could have been had the preseason been two weeks longer.

Checkout where the Winterhawks stand in Week 25’s WHL Power Rankings:

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RANK,TEAM,REC,TREND,PREV,COMMENTS

1,,50-11-5,—,1A,”Kelowna Rockets~~Well it isn’t a huge jump from 1A to 1 but the rockets managed it. While they are virtually dead even with the Wheat Kings, they had a slightly better week last week. ”
1A,,48-11-7,—,1,”Brandon Wheat Kings~~Don’t fret Wheat King fans! One half spot lower in the rankings does not mean this team is in any danger. They are a goal scoring power, and will clearly be the Eastern Conference favorites come playoff time. ”
3,,39-20-5,[icon name=icon-arrow-up] +1,4,”Portland Winterhawks~~The Winterhawks keep on rolling. After the abysmal start to the season, this team is now only one victory away from being twenty games above .500. ”
4,,40-21-5,[icon name=icon-arrow-down] -1,3,”Calgary Hitmen~~The Hitmen drop a spot in this week’s rankings, as they have dropped two straight. With a dead heat for the division title, the Hitmen cannot afford to keep dropping games. ”
5,,40-19-7,[icon name=icon-arrow-up] +2,7,”Everett Silvertips~~Looks like the Silvertips are playing motivated due to the Winterhawks nipping at their heels. They have won three straight games to keep a slim lead for the division title. ”
6,,35-27-4,[icon name=icon-arrow-down] -1,5,”Victoria Royals~~The Royals continue to play mediocre hockey. Mainly do to the fact that they have nothing to play for. It will be interesting if they can turn it back on come playoff time. ”
7,,41-22-3,[icon name=icon-arrow-down] -1,6,”Medicine Hat Tigers~~Though the Tigers had a complete meltdown for the division title, they have somehow managed to remain in a tie for the lead with only a couple weeks to go. I do not see them holding off the Hitmen though. ”
8,,35-21-9,—,8,”Regina Pats~~I feel like the Pats are just trying to not get injured before the playoffs. They are holding on these last two weeks in hopes it pays off come postseason time. ”
9,,33-29-4,[icon name=icon-arrow-up] +1,10,”Kootenay Ice~~The Ice is fortunate to still have a seven point lead on the final wildcard spot. Having gone without a win in three straight, the Warriors are making one final push to knock them out. ”
10,,33-24-9,[icon name=icon-arrow-down] -1,9,”Seattle Thunderbirds~~Seattle is all but out of reach for the Division, so they are just counting down the minutes until the playoffs start. Only four wins in their last ten games though could cause some concern in the Seattle area. ”
11,,35-21-10,—,11,”Red Deer Rebels~~The Rebels continue to play well. They are also now within a couple points of winning the Central Division. Yes, they will have to jump two teams, but it is a very possible scenario. ”
12,,31-29-4,—,12,”Spokane Chiefs~~Though the Chiefs have not played well, they have extended their lead in the wildcard because other teams are losing more than they are. It would take a serious collapse now to miss the playoffs. ”
13,,28-33-5,[icon name=icon-arrow-up] +2,15,”Prince George Cougars~~For a team that has teams close behind to take their playoff spot, the Cougars sure are coming through in the clutch. They haven’t lost a regulation game in six tries; yet only maintain a four-point lead. ”
14,,31-29-7,—,14,”Edmonton Oil Kings~~The Oil Kings are currently in the final playoff spot. With how the Warriors have been playing though, they better finish off the regular season strong. ”
15,,28-35-3,[icon name=icon-arrow-up] +2,17,”Tri-City Americans~~The Americans are in a free fall. They have lost eight of the last ten, and now only hold a two-point lead on the final playoff spot. I honestly will not be surprised if they miss the postseason.”
16,,30-31-5,[icon name=icon-arrow-down] -3,13,”Swift Current Broncos~~If you thought the Americans were in a free fall, the Broncos are in full melt down mode. Loser of six straight and only two points up on the final playoff spot. This slump could be the straw that breaks the Broncos back. ”
17,,27-35-3,[icon name=icon-arrow-up] +1,18,”Prince Albert Raiders~~The Raiders are finally playing like the team they were capable of. Too bad it no longer is relevant for them as their playoff hopes are shot. ”
18,,26-37-3,[icon name=icon-arrow-down] -1,17,”Vancouver Giants~~The Giants are now eleven games under .500 after this current six game losing streak. What is shocking to me is they still have a chance at making the playoffs. ”
19,,29-32-5,—,19,”Moose Jaw Warriors~~It might be too late for the Warriors to finally be playing well. They have six games to go and have to make up six points. A tall task that could leave Moose Jaw fans wondering what could have been. ”
20,,25-34-7,—,20,”Kamloops Blazers~~Yes they are ranked 20 in these rankings. Yes, they still are only two points out of a playoff spot. It seems like no team wants to claim that final spot. ”
21,,20-37-8,—,21,”Lethbridge Hurricanes~~The Hurricanes are now 55 points back of first place.”
22,,19-43-4,—,22,”Saskatoon Blades~~The Blades are now 61 points out of first place. To put that into perspective, two teams below 61 points right now would get into the playoffs.”

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