Portland just can’t seem to shake Tri City, as the Winterhawks lost in regulation again, this time 4-2.
The Hawks gave up the early first goal, which seemed to surprise everyone in the building, but Portland roared back with two goals; Jared Freadrich and Cody Glass scored just a few minutes apart. Tri City evened things up a couple minutes later as the two teams skated off in a draw at the end of one. Tri City scored just past the 15-minute mark to take its first lead of the night. Portland tried to get even but even with the goaltender out, Tri City was able to break up a Portland attempt and skate up the empty goal, ending the Hawks’ hope to solidify their second place hold as they lost 4-2.
Portland held the edge in shots, 36-31, and neither team scored on the powerplay; though Portland had just one powerplay, while Tri City had four chances with the man advantage.
With the wintry weather condition, the Hawks ended up having to travel around, which put them in Portland arriving at about 4:30 am and then headed nine hours later to Kent.
Joel Hofer got the start and Seattle pounced on a tired Hawks team with three goals before the media timeout in the first period. Questionable calls with one hooking call to Joachim Blichfeld, which didn’t happen and a tripping call assessed to Jared Freadrich, which he was then tripped up on. But the retaliatory wasn’t called. Shane Farkas was called in as the goaltender after the third goal and Portland continued to be disorganized.
Portland didn’t capitalize on the power play leading from the start of the second, but Caly Hanas picked up a goal inside the two-minute mark after over skating the puck and right in front, he scored. Less than 30 seconds later, Lane Gilliss shot from the left face off dot through the five hole of Roddy Ross and made it a one-goal game early in the second. The team remained 3-2 at the end of two. Nick Cicek took a check from behind major, but Seattle was not able to get anything with the extended penalty.
Jared Friedrich scored in just over 90 seconds as he handcuffed Ross with a goal from the blueline. Portland started its shot control and seemed to own the third period. However, the Hawks weren’t able to score. But after mustering just eight shots in the first period, the next two periods they exploded for 21 over the next two periods. Portland was blanked on four power plays while giving Seattle one on six tries.
The two teams headed to a three-on-three overtime. Seattle got their first chance, but hit the side of the net and it allowed Cody Glass a breakaway, but he shot wide as he approached the net. Seth Jarvis had another chance but was robbed by Ross. Seattle had a couple more whacks, but was denied by Farkas, so the two teams then headed for a shootout.
Both teams grabbed a point for going into overtime, but it was Portland who ended with the two points. Farkas stopped all three Seattle shots and Ross stopped Cody Glass, but couldn’t stop Seth Jarvis on the same type of shot, so Portland was able to take the game. Now 11 points ahead of Spokane, who has three games in hand with eight games left, the Hawks will not play again until Friday when they play Spokane at home then right after have two games in Kelowna and then travel to Prince George for a pair the next weekend.
Ice Chips:
The Booster Club will run a sold out fan excursion next weekend to Kelowna. They were supposed to run a trip to Everett, but the bus was canceled with the poor weather. There will be no trips during the postseason, as most games will take place on the road on weeknights.
