The first year Bruins were pitted against arch rival Portland Winter Hawks in a best-of-nine first round series which turned into an epic battle that went the distance. New Westminster fell behind three games to one, but then rallied with three straight wins, including a dramatic 8-7 overtime victory at Queen's Park to take a 4-3 series lead. Two nights later in Portland, the Winter Hawks forced a ninth and deciding game with a 7-6 win, again in overtime.
Game nine took place in front of an overflow crowd of 4,555 at Queens Park Arena and featured three disallowed New Westminster goals. One of the goals, a Cliff Ronning effort that was ruled to have hit the post, was clearly a blown call. Enraged Bruins fans constantly littered the ice with garbage and raw weiners, which stretched the game well beyond three hours in length. Leading 3-2 in the third period, the Bruins hit the goalpost twice on a late power play and Portland took advantage of their good fortune, tying the game in the dying seconds to force a third consecutive overtime.
Portland goalie Ian Wood was spectacular in the extra frame and Ray Podloski, against the run of play, squeaked one past Pokey Reddick to give the Winter Hawks the game and the series. It was a heartbreaking defeat for the Bruins, but a large gathering of hockey fans went home knowing they had witnessed something very special. Anyone fortunate enough to have been at Queens Park that night will never forget GAME NINE.
1983-84 WHL Playoffs - New Westminster vs. Portland
March 23 - at New West 7-3 Loss
March 24 - at New West 6-3 Win
March 26 - at Portland 8-0 Loss
March 28 - at Portland 8-4 Loss
April 1 - at New West 8-4 Win
April 3 - at Portland 9-7 Win
April 6 - at New West 8-7 Win (overtime)
April 7 - at Portland 7-6 Loss (overtime)
April 9 - at New West 4-3 Loss (overtime)
Portland wins best-of-nine series five games to four.
