Seattle/Portland: Game 7

This was definitely a game for the ages in this rivalry. Really, all game 7's are. But this one was one that will become a legend up here. Although, from start to finish, neither team was going all-out the entire time. They both had their ups and down for sure. But as I was watching it, I could feel that epic vibe going through the Key Arena in Seattle.

In the first period, both teams seemed pretty equal. The only real thing that set them apart was the play of T-Birds captain, Aaron Gagnon. He came out and played that desperate style of hockey that you would expect out of a player of his stature and caliber. And after one period of play, Seattle was up 3-0 thanks to the natural hat trick scored by Gagnon.

Things seemed to be going from bad to worse for the Winterhawks in the first minute of the 2nd period. First, Portland defenseman Lenny Thunderchild seemed to injure his shoulder when he was checked into the boards by Thunderbird Robert Klinkhammer. Really, Klinkhammer was lucky he didn't get a charging penalty on the play as he left his feet just before hitting Thunderchild. But referee Rob Matsuoka (who I believe has been tooling around the WHL since the beginning...lol) either didn't see the hit or saw it and decided to let it go. Regardless, the Winterhawks were now without one of their more solid, dependable defensemen.

Then things got really ugly. You know, it was such an ordinary play that I didn't even really notice how it all happened. All I know is that after a play along the end boards in Seattle's end, Portland center Kyle Bailey was laying on the ice screaming in pain. For me up where I sit, I was kind of wondering what he was hollering about. Then, as he seemed to start trying to get up with a push-up type of movement before collapsing back down to the ice, I noticed what was wrong. His entire foot was dangling from his ankle area in a way that it's not supposed to.

From what I read in the Winterhawks email when I got home, they said that he had somehow gotten his skate trapped in the boards and, to be frank, snapped his ankle. As the rest of the crowd in Seattle started realizing exactly how bad of shape Bailey was in, the place started going silent at first, followed by some screams of horror coming from the stands. Since long-time Portland trainer Innes Mackie was still in the locker room tending to Thunderchild, the Seattle trainer hopped over the boards and ran across the ice as quickly as he could to tend to Bailey.

Portland coach, Mike Williamson, also made his way out to be by Bailey's side. After a minute or so, the Portland trainer came back out onto the ice followed by the Thunderbirds team doctor. Aaron Gagnon even helped the cause by skating the medical supply bag out to the scene.

After a few minutes of getting Bailey situated and his leg stablized, they propped him up onto a gurney and started to wheel him off. You could clearly see by the expression on his face that he was still in horrible pain. And I was thinking to myself that I just hope that he can walk normally again, let alone ever play hockey.

But the reason I spent so much time on this part of the game was what happened next. The crowd in Seattle rose to their feet and gave a PORTLAND player a standing ovation! The Thunderbirds even banged their sticks against the boards and on the ice in support. And I thought that was TOTAL CLASS! I'm also sure that, if the same thing had happened to a T-Bird down in Portland, the same thing would have occured.

The Seattle/Portland hockey rivalry is pretty close to 100 years old. It's long and it's bitter. Sometimes, I don't think alot of the fans care where their team finishes in the standings as long as they beat the other guy. But we also realize (especially in times like this) that it's still just a GAME played by real living, breathing PEOPLE like you and me. Of course, what they really want to see is a guy leaving the ice with a cut over his eye or a split lip from a fight. But nobody wants to see someone go out like that.

Good luck, Kyle Bailey! Hopefully we'll see you back out and about sometime soon!

As the game started back up, both teams (understandabley) seemed kind of out of it. But then Portland scored their first goal of the game. And, all of a sudden, the Winter Hawks seemed to find some new life. Meanwhile, the Thunderbirds seemed to kind of go into this defensive hole. They just didn't seem to interested in regaining that 3 goal lead. It was almost as if they decided to just Cadillac it the rest of the way while Portland started playing their asses off.

Everything Seattle tried to do was headed off by Portland before it could develop. If a T-Bird had the puck, a Winter Hawk was right there to pressure him into getting rid of it. If there was an open passing lane, it would be cut-off just as the puck started to go through that hole. The Hawks style of play from that point on reminded me of the way the Spokane Chiefs played back in the late 90's and Everett did during their expansion year playoff run.....in your face, high pressure, aggressive defense.

Of course, with all the turnovers they were creating, the Winter Hawks also got alot of shots on goal. But Seattle goalie, Bryan Bridges, seemed to have an answer for just about every one of them. Except for one in the final minute of the 2nd period. The exact time you DON'T want to give up a goal to a desperate team. So after two periods, Seattle was still holding onto a slim 3-2 lead.

And things just kept going like that as the 3rd period started. Seattle was almost in a prevent defense type of game. While the Hawks were attacking left and right. Then, with exactly six minutes to go in the 3rd, Jannik Hansen scored on a quick little snap shot that went over Bridges shoulder to tie the game up at 3 apiece. And it was with that goal that, finally, Seattle seemed to pop to life. All of a sudden, they were matching Portland's intensity out there. And there were flurries of chances in both ends as regualtion came to an end.

Portland dominated most of what was played in overtime. Seattle was still playing hard. But you could just tell that the Hawks wanted it just a little more. Then, with just over nine minutes to play in the first overtime, Portland's Jon Bubnick turned and whipped a quick shot past Bridges to win the game for the Winter Hawks. Portland won the series, 4-3.

How strange was this series? Outside of Seattle's win in game one in the Key Arena, the visiting team won all the rest of the games. Which really shouldn't be much of a shock when you consider that it seems like the T-Birds can't win a game on home ice in the playoffs anymore. In their last two series (including their 2nd round loss to Kelowna last season), the Birds are 1-6 in their last seven home playoff games. On the flip side of that, they're 6-1 on the road in those same two series. Maybe they should just shoot for 4th place in the US Division. If they did that, the Thunderbirds might just be unstoppable in the playoffs (lol).

As for Portland...well...have fun getting steam-rolled by the Vancouver Giants in the next round. During the 2nd intermission as I was walking around the concourse, I ran into Steve...the guy who used to sit next to me down in the Rose Garden. We both agreed that whoever won the series between Seattle and Portland would get whupped up on by Vancouver. "It'll go 5 games....tops" Steve told me. And I agreed with him. At this point the Giants are a bonafide powerhouse. Especially ever since they got Gilbert Brule back from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Their defense is huge and their offense is potent. And really, neither Portland or Seattle has or had a snowballs chance in hell of beating them. And the same will be said about either Kelowna or Everett in the 3rd round.

I'll be heading back up to Vancouver on Saturday for game 2 of the Giants/Hawks series. It looks like I'll be alone for that one...at least for now. I'll also be at at least one of the games in Everett next week (likely Tuesday) and then back down in Portland for game 4 of that series on Thursday. After that...we'll just have to wait and see.