Winterhawks keep pressure on US leaders

Portland's drive to win a second consecutive U.S. Division title is still in gear as the team headed into 2012.

The Winterhawks won their final four games of 2011 and trailed Tri-City by seven points after 38 of 72 regular season games.

Portland headed into a home game with Moose Jaw at 24-11-2-1, 51 points, which put them in third place in the Western Conference. Tri-City led the division and conference at 29-7-0-0, 58 points and had won their last 10 games of the year. The Americans led the league in goals allowed, having given up just 85 goals.

Portland led the league in goals scored with 163.

The Winterhawks play four of their first five game of the year at home.

Portland is 0-4 against Tri-City, with the next game against the Americans set for Jan. 16 at the Rose Garden.