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Tipped Off
03-24-2006, 10:57 AM
Post-Intelligencer

T-Birds know playoff foe well

By MATTHEW GASCHK
SPECIAL TO THE P-I

In the playoffs, every feat and mistake is magnified. A clutch play, a good game or a breakthrough series can instill a player in team lore for years to come.

The same can be said for rivalries. When the Thunderbirds begin their Western Hockey League first-round playoff series with the Portland Winter Hawks tonight at KeyArena, it will allow both teams the opportunity to have a memorable series in one of the region's longest-standing rivalries.

The last time they met in the playoffs was 2002. Portland was heavily favored, leading the T-Birds by 30 points in the standings and having dominated the season series.

But Seattle ousted Portland in seven games in the series known by fans as "The Upset."

This year, there is no great discrepancy in the standings, but Seattle owns an 8-2-1-1 edge in the season series.

"Both teams start at zero and it's even going in. I don't think records have much impact on the series," Seattle coach Rob Sumner said. "It puts an edge on the series when there's a rivalry between the two teams. But in preparing, there's no difference. It just makes it a little more exciting."

As little bearing as the season series has on the playoff series, so does the T-Birds' regular-season record. Though they finished the season second in the U.S. Division at 35-31-1-5, their record fails to show just how strong they were in the second half.

Portland is led by its top line of Jannik Hansen and Jonathan Bubnick flanking center Brandon Dubinsky.

Sumner said that if the T-Birds focus on their own style, the Winter Hawks will be forced to match their intensity.



THUNDERBIRDS VS. WINTER HAWKS


WHAT: Game 1 of WHL first-round playoff series


WHEN / WHERE: Tonight, 7:05, KeyArena


RADIO: KKNW/AM-1150


RECORDS: Seattle was second in the U.S. Division at 35-31-1-5 (76 points); Portland was third at 32-32-3-5 (72 points).


NOTES: T-Birds won season series 8-2-1-1, and were 5-0-0-1 at KeyArena. Seattle outscored Portland 50-34 in the series. ... Portland was the highest scoring team in the U.S. Division with 204 goals; Seattle was last with 186. Portland allowed the most goals with 258; Seattle was second with 211. ... Aaron Gagnon led T-Birds in the season series with 10 points (8 goals, 2 assists) and Jonathan Bubnick led Portland with 10 points (3 G, 7 A).

Tipped Off
03-24-2006, 10:57 AM
WHL Preview: Winter Hawks at Thunderbirds



When: 7:05 tonight at KeyArena

What: Western Hockey League playoffs, Game 1 of best-of-seven first-round series.

Regular-season records: Portland 32-32-3-5, third in U.S. Division. Seattle 35-31-1-5, second in U.S. Division. Seattle won season series 8-2-1-1.

Radio: KKNW (1150 AM).

Last postseason appearance: Portland lost to Everett 4-3 in the 2005 first round. Seattle beat Tri-City 4-1 in 2005 first round, then lost to eventual WHL champion Kelowna 4-3 in the second round.

Key players: Brandon Dubinsky, Portland's team MVP, had 21 goals and 67 points despite being limited to 51 games because of injury. ... Seattle will count on Aaron Gagnon, who led the T-birds with 24 goals and had a superb playoff run last season. ... Cameron Cepek, who missed 51 games with a broken wrist, is back on defense for Portland. Clayton Barthel, who has been troubled with a sore back, will play on the blue line for Seattle.

Notes: This is the teams' first meeting in the playoffs since 2002, when Seattle beat Portland 4-3 in the first round. ... Portland was 11-4-0-3 in its last 18 games. ... Both teams are good in close games. Portland was 18-5-3-5 in games decided by one goal, and Seattle was 23-5-1-5. ... Portland ranked ninth in the league on defense and 19th on defense. Seattle was 16th on offense and 10th on defense.

Tickets: Available at the KeyArena box office, by calling 206-448- PUCK or through www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets for Games 3 (Tuesday) and 4 (March 31) in Portland are available through Ticketmaster or by calling 503-236-4295.