Winterhawks can’t find offense, lose 3-1

A tough loss for the Portland Winterhawks. They can't find enough offense in a sloppy game by both teams, and they go down 3-1 to the Calgary Hitman and 17-year-old goalie Kason Kabelka, making his WHL debut.

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Scoring summaryPregame: The only meeting of the season between Portland and Calgary turns into a battle of the backup goalies (sort of). 17-year-old Kason Kobelka makes his WHL in net for the Hitmen. It was a battle of 8th place teams in each conference. Calgary in the middle of their US trip, having played Monday; Portland well rested after having last played Saturday.

One do the dullest offensive periods of the season, with Portland outshooting Calgary (a team that usually wins the shot count) 7-5.

Calgary struck early to take the lead, but that didn't improve the game any. The Hitmen controlled the first part of the period without really threatening, then the game went into a lull until three Hitmen penalties at the end of the period gave Portland a lot of 5 on 3. Uncharacteristically as of late, the power play didn't come through, or actually look very good. But it did give them back the shot lead after trailing most of the period.

More of the same through the early part of the 3rd, then Portland came on, and new goalie Kobelka had to be at his best. But as Portland was threatening, the Hitmen hit back with a goal against the run of play. The Winterhawks eventually broke through although it required 6-on-5 play to get their first goal. But they couldn't find the tying goal, and Calgary got the empty-netter to finish it.

How it was won:

Key stretch/moment: Calgary took 3 minor penalties in 1:18 near the end of the 2nd period, giving Portland a lot of 5-on-3 time. They killed the penalties without the Winterhawks threatening too much.

Surprising: Portland, near the bottom of the league in shot difference, outshot Calgary, near the top. A lot of that was the Winterhawks being behind for much of the game, but it was still a surprise. Also surprising: Portland's power play failing at an important time.

Not surprising: Portland struggling to score at even strength. Technically their one goal was at even strength, but it was really 6-on-5.

Controversies: Like the two teams, the officials had a poor night; in fact it was probably the worst-officiated game in Portland in a few years. And Portland did get the short end on some really weak calls. But while it had an effect, it wasn't a big one. The officials did waive off Portland's tying goal in the 3rd because of a high stick infraction call, which was contentious. But players had stopped because of the whistle, so even if the call was wrong it cost Portland a scoring chance, not a direct goal.

Best team won?: Marginally.

Injuries/suspensions: Ryan Miller, who had just come back from an injury, left the game with a really bad injury in the 2nd period, having to go to the locker room without putting weight on his foot. He looked to be in great pain.

The playersPortland Winterhawks

The Kelowna Rockets rallied in the 3rd period to beat Seattle, and move to within 2 points of Portland for the last playoff spot.

Calgary Hitmen

Not the first time a team has rallied in front of a potentially overmatched young backup goalie.

They jump Edmonton to 7th in the conference.

Next games Friday 11/15 vs. Red Deer, 7pm PST

Saturday 11/16 at Vancouver, 7pm PST

Looking ahead: Wednesday 11/27 vs. Kelowna, 7pm PST