PORTLAND — Earlier this week, Brad Ross talked about how much fun he was having.
The Portland Winterhawks’ 18-year-old forward said he especially enjoyed drawing Everett into penalties in each game of the first round of the Western Hockey League playoffs.
But nine minutes into Game 1 of round two Thursday, Ross was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for a hit on Kelowna’s Zach Franko.
On Friday, the Winterhawks learned that their first-line left winger will miss at least today’s second game of the best-of-7 series, which the Rockets lead 1-0. The WHL suspended Ross indefinitely while it reviews the hit, which knocked Franko to the ice and out of the game.
Portland coach and general manager Mike Johnston said on Saturday that there was no intent on Ross’ part to injure Franko. Ross left the penalty box, and with the Winterhawks still shorthanded, was trying to get into the play and help clear the puck.
Johnston said the hit would have been fine had Ross hit Franko a second or two sooner. But the follow through on Franko’s shot turned the Rockets forward away from Ross, so that the contact was from the side.
“He’s a physical player. But he’s not a dirty player,” Johnston said of Ross. “If (Franko) had been turned 6 inches to the left, we wouldn’t be talking about any of this.”
Playing without Ross makes today’s challenge a bit tougher for the Winterhawks, who will be trying to bounce back from the 5-1 loss in Game 1.
Ross’ ability to get to the front of the net will be missed. Perhaps more significant is the shakeup in lines.
Ross normally plays alongside Ryan Johansen and Nino Niederreiter on Portland’s top line. On Thursday, Riley Boychuk shifted from the third line to take Ross’ spot. Perhaps more important than depth, taking a regular off the top line affects chemistry.
Not that anyone in the Winterhawks’ camp is interested in excuses. In the wake of Thursday’s loss, in which Portland’s mistakes were the difference in the game, the talk was of competing just as hard with better poise.
“Nobody’s ever going to go undefeated through the playoffs,” Johnston said. “That just doesn’t happen. You’ve got to be able to recover from a loss and regroup and get ready for the next game.”
Johnston said the team had a good practice on Saturday, and that he expects a strong response today because this team has risen to challenges all season.
Johnston also said that after watching the game several times, he still believes his team played well on Thursday except for three costly mistakes.
It certainly seems unlikely Portland will be held to one goal — especially if it throws another 46 shots at Kelowna goalie Adam Brown.
“Give him credit. He played well,” Portland’s Craig Cunningham said. “He stopped the first shot and kind of steered the second to the corner.”
Kelowna would love to back Portland into a corner by winning again today.
But, with Thursday’s outcome settled, the smallest Hawk sent a physical message to several Rockets.
Most memorable of 5-foot-8, 155-pound Brendan Leipsic’s third-period hits was his check that sent both himself and Kelowna’s Brett Bulmer into the Portland bench.
“Even if the game was our of reach there, those hits can wear on players throughout a long series,” Leipsic said. “In Game 1 you’ve got to set the tone. Maybe one time they’ll make a turnover or throw a puck loose if they see you coming.”
