The Portland Winterhawks battled back to defeat the Everett Silvertips by a score of 6-3 this Sunday. The last time these two teams met, Everett shut down a two game win streak for Portland with a 6-3 win at home. With Portland’s victory on Sunday, the Winterhawks are now on a three game win streak. The two previous victories came at home this weekend, over Spokane and Seattle. This was also the first victory on the road for Portland since November 10th, when they won 5-1 over Vancouver.
It was a slow start for Portland, as the Everett Silvertips would score on the very first shot of the game. Just 27 seconds into the game, Ben Hemmerling would force a turnover behind the Winterhawks net. Hemmerling blocked a pass with his skate, and tracked the puck down in the corner. Gathering up the puck, Hemmerling backhanded a pass to Julien Maze just above the faceoff circle. Maze would hold his shot for a moment, then fire a shot high to the near post. The shot would fly past the glove of Portland goaltender, Nick Avakyan, and stay under the crossbar giving the Silvertips the 1-0 lead.
Everett’s offense found another goal nearly eight minutes later. This time, Hemmerling would buy time for his line-mates by stopping and skating back towards the top of the offensive zone. Hemmerling threw the puck across the ice to Hayden Smith, who had just crossed the blue line. Smith controlled the pass, then wristed a shot towards the net from the top of the faceoff circle. Smith’s shot stayed low, just outside of the reach of Avakyan, and stayed inside the near post. With 11:36 remaining in the period, the Silvertips had gone up 2-0.
Portland’s power play would help change the momentum late in the period. After sending the puck around the boards, Gabe Klassen would send a pass to the point. Luca Cagnoni would hustle over to receive the pass, then find Jack O’Brien along the boards. O’Brien would skate up to the faceoff circle, and dish the puck down to Klassen at goal line extended. Klassen then moved towards the front of the net, and snapped a shot from in tight. Everett goalkeeper, Tyler Palmer was tight to the near post. However, Klassen’s shot found a line around the elbow of Palmer and inside the far post. Klassen would score his 16th goal of the season, and the Winterhawk would trail by one with 1:03 remaining in the period.
However, the Winterhawks were not content to coast through the final minute of the period. With 35 seconds remaining, Nick Johnson would weave his way through the neutral zone. Johnson would be able to enter the zone, but three defenders forced him to stay high and wide on the rush. Johnson would get to the boards, then look across the ice and spot Josh Zakreski. Zakreski would receive Johnson’s pass in the high slot, the turn and fire a shot on net. Zakreski’s shot would beat Palmer high blocker side and tie the game at 2-2.
Early in the second period, the Silvertips would regain the lead. 1:08 into the period, Tarin Smith would skate the puck out of his own zone. With plenty of space on the power-play, Smith would be able to gain a step on his defender in the neutral zone. A wide stick check would force Smith back inside. However, it allowed Smith to cross over the last defenseman for Portland. This left Smith and Avakyan in a short one-on-one. Smith would deke to his backhand, and lift the puck past the outstretched skate of Avakyan put Everett back in the lead, 3-2.
Everett’s lead wouldn’t last for long, as the flood gates began to open just 48 seconds later. Nick Johnson would fire a shot on the rush that Palmer would save. The rebound, however, would go right to Zakreski for his 10th goal of the season. Thanks to Zakreski’s goal, the game was once again tied.
Then, with 13:21 remaining, James Stefan would take over the period. On the power-play, O’Brien would look for Josh Davies in front of the net. The pass would lead to a pile up at the top of the goalie crease. Eventually the puck would shovel out between faceoff circles, where James Stefan would gather up possession. Stefan would wrist a shot through a defenders legs and over the shoulder of Palmer, giving Portland their first lead of the night.
A few minutes later, and the Winterhawks would strike again. Rhett Ravndahl and Josh Davies lead the rush for Portland. Davies would get the pass from Ravndahl along the bench boards and enter the zone. Davies would then take a shot that would hit the outside of the net. Following his shot, Davies would race behind the net for the rebound. As he was about to be cut off, Davies chopped at the puck and it would deflect off a defenseman’s stick. The puck would float over the net, and land just short of the glove side faceoff circle. Stefan would race over and wrist a shot that would sneak inside the far post, giving the Winterhawks a 5-3 lead.
After the 5th goal, Everett would substitute goaltenders and Ethan Chadwick would enter the game. Unfortunately for Chadwick, the Winterhawks offense wasn’t slowing down. With 3:50 left in the period, Portland created a 3-on-2 rush into the offensive zone. Klassen would carry the puck up the far boards, then drop a pass back for Stefan. Stefan, at the top of the faceoff circle, would pass across to Kyle Chyzowski for a one-timer. Chyzowski’s shot was saved, but the rebound would be swept home by Stefan for his second hat-trick this season. The Winterhawks would go up 6-3 and thanks to a scoreless third period, secure their victory.
Portland’s next game is Wednesday, Dec. 13 when they host the Wenatchee Wild with puck drop at 7 p.m.
Northwest Sports Desk 