The Portland Winterhawks came up short against the Spokane Chiefs on Sunday. This was the first time the Winterhawks and Chiefs had met this season. This was also the third game in three days for Portland. Over the weekend, the Winterhawks had lost 6-3 to Everett and defeated Saskatoon 5-4.
The first goal of the game came roughly halfway through the first period. A short 3-on-2 rush saw Chase Bertholet carrying the puck into the zone for the Chiefs. From the boards, Bertholet would pass across the ice to Berkly Catton. Chase Harrington would drive to the net, drawing the defense in and allowing Catton a chance to shoot. Catton’s shot from the high slot would beat the glove of Portland netminder, Justen Maric, and stay inside the far post. Catton’s 14th goal of the year would put Spokane up 1-0.
However, it wouldn’t take long for Portland to find a response. Just 23 seconds after the Chiefs goal, the Winterhawks were on the attack. Alex Thompson would keep the puck in the offensive zone at the blue line. Thompson’s shot would get blocked between the faceoff circles, and Ryan Miller would win the scramble for the loose puck. Miller then powered a wrist shot low, past the blocker of Spokane goaltender, Dawson Cowan. Miller’s first career WHL goal would tie the game at 1-1.
The Winterhawks’ momentum would continue to roll through the remainder of the period. With just over two minutes remaining, Kyle McDonough led the breakout for Portland. McDonough would skate around one defender and enter the offensive zone. McDonough then would pass the puck to his right, and drive to the net. Luca Cagnoni would receive McDonough’s pass, then find Miller trailing on the rush. Miller would catch Cagnoni’s pass, and laser a shot past Cowan’s blocker side for his second career goal. At the end of the first period, the Winterhawks would hold a 2-1 lead.
Despite a handful of A-grade chances in the second period, it wouldn’t be until the third period that the score line would change. Carter Streek would pass the puck across the zone to Saige Weinstein at the point. Weinstein would shift down to the top of the faceoff circle, and wrist a shot towards the net. Weinstein’s shot would sneak past two bodies in front of the net, dip past Maric’s glove, and stay inside the far post. Weinstein’s first goal of the year would tie the game at 2-2 with 12:46 remaining in the period.
Then, 31 seconds later, the Chiefs would strike again. A pass up the boards at center ice would lead to a 2-on-2 rush for Spokane. Rasmus Ekström would skate the puck across the blue line. Then, from well beyond the faceoff circle, wrist a shot past the encroaching defender. Ekström’s shot would fly over the right arm of Maric, and stay under the crossbar, putting Spokane up 3-2.
Despite outshooting the Chiefs in the final period of play 15-11, the Winterhawks offense couldn’t find a way to break through. Portland tried pulling the goalie to gain an extra attacker. However, Spokane’s defense was able to clear the defensive zone. With 1:35 remaining, Ty Cheveldayoff would poke the puck past two Winterhawks, and up to Berkly Catton. Catton then passed the puck across to Conner Roulette, who would fire the puck into the back of the empty net, and extend Spokane’s lead to 4-2.
While disheartened, the Winterhawks offense didn’t give up. They continued to press and attack, looking for a goal to get them back within striking distance. However, their aggression would backfire in the strangest of ways. A shot by Diego Buttazzoni would ricochet off the post, kick out off the sideboard glass, and bounce over the stick of the Winterhawks’ point defender. The puck had enough velocity to go all the way down the ice and slide into the Winterhawks’ empty net. Credit for the goal would go to Dawson Cowan, and Spokane would hold off Portland to win 5-2.
Portland’s next match is Friday, Dec. 1, when they hit the road to take on the Wenatchee Wild with puck drop at 7 p.m.
Northwest Sports Desk 