The Portland Winterhawks played a three-game in three-night against all US Division opponents. People talk about a 4 point game within your division, and simply it means you get the win of two points, stopping the opponent from gaining the two points with them burning a game, which would work out to four points.
With wins this past week, the Hawks jumped into second place in the division and fifth overall in the conference, though they do give up three games to the Seattle Thunderbirds on the division, but are three points up on them.
Let’s take a look at the past three games.
Heading to Kennewick, WA, the Hawks took on the Tri-City Americans. Ryan McCleary opened the scoring with a feed from James Stefan just a couple of minutes in. Tri-City replied just past the four-minute mark on a Connor Bouchard marker.
Just before the seven-minute mark Tyson Kozak put the Winterhawks back on top to end the scoring in the first period.
Cross Hanas added to the lead just before the six-minute point of the second period. Petr Moravec chipped into the lead with a goal a couple of minutes later and added a goal by Tyson Greenway with just over a minute left in the period to tie the game.
Tyson Kozak scored his second of the night while on the powerplay at 6:24 of the third period, and Marcus Nguyen scored the empty-net goal with just thirty seconds left in the game to win 5-3. Portland outshot Tri-City 48-30 with the Hawks 1 of 4 on the powerplay, with Tri-City scoreless on two tries.
The Winterhawks would play two games at home with a televised match against Seattle Thunderbirds.
1:42 into the game, Gabe Klassen found the twine behind Thomas Milic, and with it, a 1-0 lead followed them into the locker room.
Connor Roulette tied the game into the second period just before the eight-minute mark. Tyson Kozak tallied his first of the night while on the powerplay to restore the lead, and again they headed to the dressing room leading by a goal.
Tyson Kozak scored his second of the night at 8:47 in the third period. Cross Hanas scored the empty-net goal to pad the lead, and Luke Schelter was Johnny on the spot where he cleaned up the mess in front to score with just seven seconds left in the game to give the Hawks a 5-1 thrashing over the Thunderbirds. Portland held a 49-28 shot advantage, with Portland going 2-6 on the powerplay and holding off Seattle on their three tries.
The next night it was Spokane providing the opposition after they had dropped a 4-1 battle with Tri-City the night before.
Gabe Klassen banged home his 16th of the year at 13:38 of the first period. Jack O’Brien stripped Bear Hughes of the puck right out in front, and he made no mistake with a goal less than 2 minutes later.
Spokane’s Bear Hughes made things better in the second period with his own goal at about the nine-minute mark. Carter Streek added a goal on the powerplay at 16:41 to leave the Hawks up 3-2.
The third period saw Spokane take their first lead on the powerplay, with Erik Atchison scoring just before the six-minute mark to tie the game.
Tyson Kozak put the Hawks on an even keel also on the powerplay at 9:21, and just over a minute later, Cross Hanus scored to put the Hawks back up on top. Spokane’s Blake Swetlikoff helped when the goaltender was out for the extra attacker to send the game into overtime.
Cross Hanas fed the puck between Spokane defenders, and Ryan McCleary awkwardly used the backhand to steer the puck past an unsuspecting Manny Panghli to give the Hawks a hard-fought win 5-4 win in overtime. Portland took a 37-30 shots advantage and went 2 for 5 on the powerplay. Spokane got two goals on their five tries in a losing cause.
Portland will once again play three games in as many nights as they host Prince George Cougars, with Taylor Gauthier welcoming back his old squad. The next night, action swings up to Seattle with a televised game against Seattle. The Winterhawks will complete their three-game set at home to face the Tri-City Americans.
Friday versus Prince George will be Pride Night to celebrate the LBGT Community.
