The Portland Winterhawks capped off their weekend with a 5-2 win over the Tri-City Americans on Sunday. With the win, the Winterhawks are now on a three game win streak. This streak started with an 11-1 victory over Kelowna on Friday, and a 7-1 win in Seattle on Saturday.
Portland’s offense has been electric at home, and this game was no different. The Winterhawks would jump out to an early lead thanks to their power-play in the first period. James Stefan would have the puck along the boards, and turn to threaten a centering pass. As Stefan cycled down towards goal line extended, Luca Cagnoni would shift over and take his place at the point. Once Stefan saw no opening from the corner, he would pass the puck back up to Cagnoni. Cagnoni would take a few steps in, and fire a wrist shot from well beyond the faceoff circle. The shot would rise high and beat Americans goaltender, Lukas Matecha, glove side. Cagnoni’s 11th goal of the year would put the Winterhawks up 1-0, just 3:34 into the game.
Portland’s pressure would continue into the halfway mark of the period. Nate Danielson would win a race to the puck in the corner. With a defender right on his tail, Danielson then turned and skated towards the point. As the point defender slide over to double team him, Danielson handed off the puck to Marek Alscher along the boards. Alscher then drove to the net, and cut to the middle as defenders skated by. Alscher’s first shot would be blocked by the leg pad of Matecha. However, the rebound would pop right back to Alscher’s stick, and Alscher wouldn’t miss his second chance. Alscher’s fourth goal of the year would put Portland up 2-0.
The scoring of the first period wasn’t done yet for Portland. After great work behind the net from two Winterhawks forwards, the puck would roll around the boards to Tyson Jugnauth. Jugnauth would one touch a pass around a defender to Josh Zakreski at the faceoff circle. Zakreski would skate back towards the boards, and find Kyle Chyzowski alone in front of the net. Chyzowski would catch Matecha sliding too far to his left, and Chyzowski would reach around him for a shot, and Portland’s third goal of the night.
The 3-0 score line would hold into the 2nd period, where Portland’s offense continued to roll. Despite being out shot 10-12, the Winterhawks were making the most of their opportunities. With 13:41 remaining in the period, a shot gone wide of the net would allow Stefan to send the puck to the point. Jugnauth would receive Stefan’s pass, then move inside around one defender. With no Tri-City Defenders readily able to shift over, Jugnauth was given free reign of the slot. Jugnauth would quickly switch to his forehand, and wrist a shot past Matecha’s blocker, and inside the near post. Jugnauth’s fifth goal of the year would extend the Winterhawks lead to 4-0.
Late in the period, Portland would score their final goal of the night. With just inside a minute left of 4-on-4 hockey, Stefan would traverse the neutral zone with momentum. Upon entering the offensive zone, Stefan would cut inside and have his shot blocked. The puck would ricochet into the air, and be corralled by Gabe Klassen. Klassen would move outside, and immediately pass the puck back to Stefan. Stefan, with his back to the net, would skate towards the blue line and turn around with possession and space. Stefan then quickly wristed a shot towards the net. The shot would split the gap between two defenders, and before reaching the goaltender, be deflected by Gabe Klassen. Klassen’s redirect pushed the puck past Matecha’s right side, and into the back of the net. With 47 seconds remaining in the period, the Winterhawks had a 5-0 lead.
Tri-City would answer Portland’s five goals in the third period. Early in the third, a slap shot from the point left a dangerous rebound for Jake Sloan. Sloan, from the near post, was denied a goal by the skate of Winterhawks goaltender Luke Brunen. However, it took Brunen a moment to recover from the save, and Sloan was able to take advantage. Sloan tracked the rebound down behind the net, and passed the puck immediately to the front. Jordan Gavin was ready for Sloan’s pass, and quickly shot the puck towards the far post. Brunen was unable to reposition in time, and the Americans got on the scoreboard with 18:26 to go in the period.
The last goal of the night also belonged to Tri-City. Late in the third period, Jackson Smith would wrist a shot from the point towards the net. Carter MacAdams had came from the corner of the zone, and cut across Brunen’s face just after the shot was taken. As MacAdams passed by, he turned and redirected the puck down at the last moment. The puck would split the legs of Brunen, and Tri-City would score their second goal with 2:36 remaining in the game.
Unfortunately for Tri-City, they would run out of time and the Winterhawks would win by a final score of 5-2.
Portland’s next game is Saturday, Feb. 10, at Veterans Memorial Coliseum, against the Seattle Thunderbirds with puck drop set for 6:00 p.m.
Northwest Sports Desk 