The Portland Winterhawks earned a 4-1 victory against the Seattle Thunderbirds this Saturday night. With the win, Portland is now on a four game win streak. The Winterhawks have had Seattle’s number so far this season. Portland is now 6-0-1 against the Thunderbirds, with three games still to be played. The next time these two team will meet, will be on March 17 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.
The Winterhawks offense has been firing on all cylinders recently, and tonight was no exception. Portland out shot Seattle 51-18, and 20 of those shots for the Winterhawks came in the first period. Seattle’s saving grace was goaltender Scott Ratzlaff, who had to make numerous difficult saves throughout the night. However, the power play would be Seattle’s achilles heel this Saturday.
The first goal of the game came almost exactly halfway through the first period of play. Passing around the point on the power-play would allow Luca Cagnoni to set up Nate Danielson with space. Danielson slowly drifted towards the high slot, then spotted Gabe Klassen alone down low. Danielson would pass the puck right to the stick of Klassen, who easily redirected the puck behind Ratzlaff and into the net. Klassen’s goal would give Portland a 1-0 lead that would hold for the remainder of the period.
In the second period, Portland’s power-play went back to work early. Just over five minutes into the period, a pass to the point by James Stefan was deflected. However, thanks to a diving effort by Luca Cagnoni, the Winterhawks were able to hold the puck in the offensive zone. Cagnoni would then send the puck around the boards, and Klassen would collect possession behind the net. As Kyle Chyzowski skated by, Klassen would hold the puck and go for a wrap around shot. Klassen’s shot would beat the leg pad of Ratzlaff, and stay inside the far post. The captain of the Winterhawks would score his second power-play goal of the night, and the Winterhawks would take a 2-0 lead.
The Thunderbirds didn’t have much offense in the second period, only mustering three shots on goal in the second frame. However, one chance late in the period kept Seattle within striking distance. Nathan Pilling would gather up puck possession in the offensive zone. Skating up from the corner, Pilling would draw defenders in and pass the puck to the blue line. Owen Boucher would receive the pass, and quickly fire a shot towards the net. With four players in front of the goal, the puck would be blocked before it could reach Portland netminder, Jan Špunar. As the puck bounced around, it became a scramble in front of the net. Eventually, Seattle’s Kazden Mathies would pull the puck into space, and jam a rebound past the left leg of Špunar into the net. Mathies’s goal made the score 2-1 Portland, with 3:58 remaining in the period.
The Winterhawks would keep a one goal lead all the way until late in the third period. With just inside three minutes remaining, James Stefan would cross into the offensive zone. Stefan would hold the puck, then pass to Gabe Klassen for a quick shot on goal. Ratzlaff would make the save, and the rebound would eventually find its way behind the net. Diego Buttazzoni would be first to the puck. As Buttazzoni turned towards the corner, he would keep his head up, looking for an outlet pass. Buttazzoni would spot Stefan at the faceoff circle, a pass him the puck for a one timer opportunity. Stefan’s shot would beat Ratzlaff high glove side, and stay inside the post to put the Winterhawks up 3-1.
Trailing by two goals, the Thunderbirds would pull their goaltender shortly after. However, a blocked shot and great breakout passing would set up James Stefan for an empty net goal with 1:40 remaining in regulation. The Winterhawks would stall the Thunderbirds for the remainder of regulation, and would win by a final score of 4-1.
Portland’s next game is Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 7:00 p.m. when host the Everett Silvertips, in a battle for first place in the Western Conference.
Northwest Sports Desk 