Hawkey is fun!

He shoots, he scores! Max Gordichuk hits Portland’s second goal in the Hawks’ thrilling 3-2 win over Tri-Cities on December 16, 2006.

Hawkey with the Portland Winterhawks is fun, even if you don’t like the sport of ice hockey. You can get great seats at reasonable prices. The crowd is relaxed, strangers interacting occasionally. The intermissions are as long as the playing periods, so there is plenty of time to stroll around people-watching or getting snacks. And you know how professional sports teams make difficult athletic feats look easy? Minor league hockey isn’t like that. It’s obvious how hard it must be to chase a rock-hard puck around on ice for twenty minutes at a stretch. I like that honesty.

The Hawks are playing at Memorial Coliseum tonight at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.; and Monday afternoon (MLK Day) at 2 p.m. Tonight is a Fred Meyer discount coupon 2-for-1 deal. If you want to hang out in the 100 and 200 level of the Rose Garden, which I for one don’t get to do for Blazers basketball games, catch the game there on Friday January 19. Look for a game that fits your schedule here.

I’m content with watching minor league hockey and baseball in Portland. I wouldn’t mind bringing more major league sports here, as long as no public subsidies are needed. But one of the trade-offs would be losing the minor league teams, and I think they help keep Portland grounded, interesting, and open to fans who can’t or don’t want to spend big money on a few hours’ entertainment.