The best of this week’s upcoming sports events
Friday, January 22
Portland Winterhawks vs. Everett Silvertips
The Winterhawks have been bad in recent years. How bad, you ask? Try U.S. budget deficit bad. The smell of burnt hair bad. The movie Pearl Harbor bad. To avoid referencing any more Ben Affleck movies, let’s be more specific: The Hawks have a combined record of 30-106 with back-to-back dead-last finishes in their division the last two seasons. Fortunately, whatever they’re putting in the Gatorade this year is working. The Winterhawks currently are 27-18 and jockeying for playoff position in the WHL’s Western Conference. Maybe it’s time get out to the old Coliseum and see what these kids are all about.
Where: Memorial Coliseum
When: 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: 224-4400, ticketmaster.com
Additional Home Dates: 1/20 vs. Kamloops, 1/24 vs. Vancouver
Saturday, January 23
Portland Pilots vs. Pepperdine Waves
This U of P squad is a tough bunch to figure out. After starting their season with a bang by winning seven of their first eight games and cracking the AP top 25, the Pilots have since stumbled to a pedestrian 5-7 record in what appears to be a slow and steady descent back down to reality. Still, there’s a lot to like about this team thanks to their depth and scoring punch from a variety of positions. This home contest against a relatively unimpressive Pepperdine team could be just what they need to get back on track.
Where: Chiles Center
When: 7 p.m.
Tickets: 224-4400, ticketmaster.com
Wednesday, January 27
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Utah Jazz
The traveling MASH unit known as the Portland Trail Blazers is finally starting to heal up. Rudy Fernandez (back) and Steve Blake (pneumonia) have returned to the court, Nicolas Batum (shoulder) is expected to join them soon, and there are even excited yet hushed whispers of Greg Oden (knee) attempting to make a dramatic comeback before the playoffs. If the Blazers can continue to hold down the fort with hustle and scrappy play until reinforcements arrive, they might just be able to salvage a season that at one time looked to be a complete loss. Winning this home game against Utah could be a key step toward that goal, as the Jazz are nipping at the Blazers’ heels in the division standings.
Where: Rose Garden
When: 7 p.m.
Tickets: 797-9600, trailblazers.com
Additional Home Dates: 1/25 vs. New Orleans
Photo: Ryan Johansen, winterhawks.com
