The final two games before the Christmas break gave each team a win in the home-and-home series with the Spokane Chiefs.
First up was the travel to Spokane, where the Portland Winterhawks gave up the first goal just under two minutes into the game while Spokane was shorthanded. Seven minutes later, James Stefan notched his 22nd on the year with a backhand shot over Cooper Michaluk’s left glove. Four minutes later, Diego Buttazoni shot once, which was saved; the goaltender lost sight of Diego getting his rebound and firing into the open net for the 2-1 lead after one.
Marcus Nguyen capitalized while shorthanded, walking in with another Hawk trailer, firing at will, and increasing the lead 3-1. A couple of minutes later, Spokane cut the lead and, with just three seconds on the clock, tied the game while shorthanded. Following that goal, starting goaltender Justen Maric finished the period but didn’t return for the rest of the game. It appears he suffered an upper-body injury just before the goal, couldn’t faze it off, saw the goal go in, and was replaced in the third by Nick Avakyan.
Spokane took the lead midway through the third, and then things got crazy with three minutes left. Jack O’Brien scored, then 24 seconds later, Spokane took back the lead, and with Avakyan out for the extra attacker., Josh Davies sent the game to overtime with his 22nd of the year.
In overtime, James Stefan found the twine to give the Hawks the win in overtime. Recently acquired Tyson Jugernauth assisted on both late goals. Portland outshot Spokane 48-33, with Portland 1-6 on the man advantage and Spokane stymied on their three chances.
To Portland for the Holiday Sweater night. The Hawks and Chiefs goaltenders made numerous tough saves in close during the period, but Connor Roulette for Spokane opened the scoring just four minutes in on the powerplay. That score would hold to the second period. Spokane got another while cleaning up the myriad of shots in front. Chase Bertholet scored early in the second. Twenty-five seconds later, Josh Davies put the Hawks on the board with a rebound shot off the post. Spokane would put the game out of reach as Hayden Paupanekis stole the puck at the blue line and scored. The third period saw several saves and disallowed goals, leading to Spokane’s 3-1 triumph. The Chiefs outshot Portland 48-39 and 1-3 on the powerplay. Portland had no powerplays on the night.
The Sunday, March 17 game versus Seattle will now occur in the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, home to the NHL Kraken. The larger venue will allow more people to see junior hockey at its best.
The break now on means a trade moratorium, with no teams allowed to announce any transactions until after the holiday break. Portland sits fourth in the Western Conference, six points behind the top spot, but has anywhere from one to four games in hand on the opposition higher than them. The Hawks have the most goals in the WHL currently at 144 and are tied for sixth overall in goals against. Hopefully, the break will allow the speedy healing of three goaltenders on the shelf for the Hawks.
Three games will greet them following the holiday break: in Kennewick to face the Tri-City Americans on the 27th, Seattle comes to town on the 28th, and the fun New Year’s Eve game against the Vancouver Giants with a 5pm start so people can skate on the VMC ice following the game. You can bring your own skates, rent them beforehand, and enjoy the balloon drop at 9pm (midnight Eastern).
Have a great holiday season, and we’ll wrap up the remainder of 2023 next year as we return from the holiday break at OSN. Thank you for supporting me and other writers on this site!
