The Portland Winterhawks come up short against the Spokane Chiefs on Saturday by a score of 3-1. This was the fourth meeting between the two teams this season. Portland had a 2-1-0 record against Spokane headed into the match, thanks to a 6-5 Overtime victory on Friday.
Veterans Memorial Coliseum was ready for a Christmas celebration, as the Winterhawks wore Christmas Sweater themed jerseys for their game. However, Spokane was determined to shut down the party and break their seven game losing streak. The early action would favor the Chiefs, as they scored the first goal of the game just 3:54 into the period. Conner Roulette would lead the 3-on-2 rush through the neutral zone for Spokane. Roulette would pass the puck across the offensive blue line to Ty Cheveldayoff on the wing. From beyond the faceoff circle, Cheveldayoff would wrist a shot towards the net. Winterhawks goaltender, Nick Avakyan, would save the high shot but couldn’t catch the rebound. Roulette had crashed the net off his pass, and was in position to slap the puck over the blocker of Avakyan. Roulette would score his 21st goal of the season on the power-play, and the Chiefs would grab a 1-0 lead.
Spokane held a slight lead in shots through the first period, 14-12. However, the second period saw the Chiefs offense pull away in that category. Spokane outshot Portland in the second period 24-7, and were being rewarded for it. The second goal of the game came 4:25 into the period. After a battle in the corner and a save by Avakyan, the puck would pop out to the high slot. Owen Schoettler would reach over and wrists a shot through traffic in front. The puck would be blocked, but it continued to slowly bounce on end towards the net. A few players in front would chop at the puck, and Avakyan would make a skate save adjusting to the scramble. The puck would stay loose to Avakyan’s right side, where Berkly Catton would have a chance at it. Catton would jab the puck past the leg of Avakyan. However, Avakyan would reach back and kick the puck out of the crease with his blocker pad. Unfortunately for Avakyan, Chase Bertholet was on the other side of the crease. Bertholet would flick the puck over the sprawled Avakyan, and extend Spokane’s lead to 2-0.
Portland’s offense knew they needed a response, and would find one 26 seconds later. Gabe Klassen would skate the puck out of the defensive zone, creating a 3-on-2 rush. Klassen would cross the offensive blue line, and find the space to wrist a shot on target. Similar to Spokane’s first goal, Klassen’s shot would ride high on Chiefs goaltender, Dawson Cowan. Cowan would make the save, but the rebound would bounce off to Cowan’s right. Josh Davies would be first to the puck, and he would fork the bouncing puck high over the blocker of Cowan. The puck would ping off the inside of the post, and find the back of the net, putting the Winterhawks on the board.
However, the Chiefs offense was everywhere in the second period. Late in the period, Spokane would generate a turnover at the blue line. Hayden Paupanekis would intercept a pass from the boards, and skate across the top of the zone. Paupanekis would fade towards the far faceoff circle, and draw a second defender to him. Before reaching the faceoff circle, Paupanekis would wrist a shot low towards the net. The shot would go over Avakyan’s leg, under his stick side blocker, and ring off the inside of the far post. With 4:43 remaining in the period, Paupanekis would extend Spokane’s lead to 3-1.
Portland’s offense put forth a valiant effort for the remainder of the game. However, Dawson Cowan was in the zone. The Winterhawks tallied 19 shots in the final period of play, but Cowan would not break. Portland would run out of time, and Spokane would hold on to win, 3-1.
The Winterhawks get a long break for the holidays. Their next game is Dec. 27, when they hit the road to take on the Tri-City Americans at 7:05 p.m.
Northwest Sports Desk 