The best of this week’s upcoming sports events
Tuesday, December 29
Portland State Vikings vs. Willamette Bearcats (Men)
Portland State Vikings vs. Oregon State Beavers (Women)
If you’re looking for a little entertainment on a cold December weeknight, how about putting down the whippits and instead opting for a college hoops double-header featuring four teams from Oregon? First, at 5:05 p.m., the Viking men will take on Willamette. Then, at 7:15 p.m., the Viking women will go to battle with Oregon State. Both games take place back-to-back at the tiny but top-notch Stott Center, where tickets come cheap and there is no such thing as a nosebleed seat.
Where: Stott Center
When: 5:05 p.m. (Men), 7:15 p.m. (Women)
Tickets: 888-VIK-TIKS, goviks.com
Photo: Luke Walker, winterhawks.com
Thursday, December 31
Portland Winterhawks vs. Seattle Thunderbirds
For most people, New Year’s Eve is a magical night when you drink way too much Jager, throw up in the fish tank and then somehow manage to wake up on your front lawn the next morning wearing nothing but a pink tutu. It truly is a good time. But what if you have kids, or simply don’t want to lower your IQ by 10 points in a single night of drinking? For you, my friends, there is something called “family-friendly fun,” and it can be found at the Rose Garden this New Year’s Eve when the Portland Winterhawks host the Seattle Thunderbirds. Prior to the game a carnival in the concourse will include a rock wall and a mechanical bull. Afterwards, fans of all ages are encouraged to lace up their skates and take a few laps on the ice with Winterhawks players. There will also be a laser shooting gallery and skee ball after the game on the concourse. Then, at midnight, the evening will culminate with fans and players counting down the last moments of 2009. Finally, when you get home and put your kids to bed, you can get started on that bottle of Jager. Just tell your daughter to hide her tutu.
Where: Rose Garden
When: 8 p.m.
Tickets: 224-4400, ticketmaster.com
Saturday, January 2
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Golden State Warriors
Key players keep getting injured, but the Blazers just keep on winning. The latest gory scene took place last week in Dallas when Joel Przybilla—Portland’s last healthy center—ruptured his patella (i.e. really hurt his knee bad) and was lost for the season. The injury-depleted Blazers responded by gutting out tough wins at Dallas and San Antonio before putting the smack-down on division rival Denver on Christmas Day. Finally, there will be rest for the weary as the battered and bruised Blazers play four of their next five games at home—all of them coming against bad teams. Portland should have a pretty easy time against a miserable 8-21 Golden State team in this one, unless of course the scoreboard comes loose and falls from the rafters onto Brandon Roy’s big toe—seriously, it’s been that bad.
Where: Rose Garden
When: 7 p.m.
Tickets: 797-9600, trailblazers.com
Top Photo: Dominic Waters, goviks.com
