Monday Miunte - 10-12

Well, I have decided that every Monday I will take a minute and post thoughts on the weekend that was...

And well, this past weekend was interesting as Portland was up and down all weekend...

Game 1 - Tri Cities - This was suppose to be payback for the Hawks lone loss of the season. Instead, Portland was beat at the game they are wanting to play. Portland has been a puck possession team. They have out quicked folks to the puck and consistently forced the action. Well against Tri Cities it was a different story. Portland was not the quicker team, and while they did get shots on goal, they were not quality scoring chances. I really noticed that this team did not have the Boychuk factor as he seems to be that big body that at times says you are not going to knock me off the puck and I am going to get to the net. Plus once he sets up in the net he isn't going to be moved out of there. With Boychuck being hurt, I am not sure why Taylor Peters isn't playing? He is a big body with good hands...

Game 2 - Prince Albert - Portland took some time to get rolling, but once they did look out as the scoring came in bunches. All four lines got into the action and controlled the play. Ian Curtis was solid in net, and the defense seemed to have a better time clearing the puck from the front of the net. Portland did start to show that if a big body does get in front of the net, they are able to screen the Hawks goalie and redirect entry shots for goals. Portland is going to have to work on clearing the crease...

Game 3 - Everett - This game shows what can happen with scheduling. Last Wednesday Portland went to Everett and beat the tips. Portland came home and started a three in three weekend, Everett sat at home and didn't play again until last night. Now, I am not going to sit here and tell you that the Hawks were tired, but Portland did play three in three and had to travel to Everett for the game. Portland got off to a quick lead, but couldn't hold it and this by far was the worse game Mucha has played this season. Portland spent more time killing penalties then they did getting quality scoring chances and showed some chinks in the armor.

What are we left with...

Well, Portland is playing at a 70% win percentage. This is something that at the end of last season we all would be thrilled with... If Portland continues to play at this level they will have a 100 point season... 50 - 22 would be pretty great... Is that realistic for this team? My guess is they are more like a 80 - 90 point team, but with an odd bounce of a puck here or there they can be better.

Portland is also being lead in the scoring column by a 17 year old D-Man, Troy Rutkowski. I see this as a couple of different things. 1 - Portland has balanced scoring, with multiple lines putting the puck in the net, and 2 - Portland is getting a ton of shots, but the quality of those chance are limited. The forwards are getting chances, but need to get quality chances and they need to finish those chances.

Finally, Luke Walker is a more complete player then ever before. He is constantly working, all three zones and is fore checking, back checking, scoring and playing quality hockey. Keep up the good work Luke.

Now the Hawks hit the road for a long two week stretch. This team can grow together on this trip or get down on themselves if things don't go as well as we now expect. So, I see Portland going 4-2 on this trip before seeing Brandon at home on the 27th. It will be fun to see how this trip goes.