The Portland Winterhawks started the month of March with a 3-0 win over the Regina Pats this Friday night. With the win, Portland hits a total of 40 wins this season. This makes seven consecutive seasons of the Winterhawks winning 40 or more games in the regular season. Notably, this was Portland’s one and only time they would play the Pats this regular season. This was also Portland’s third shutout of the year.
The Winterhawks, as they had done many times before at Veterans Memorial Coliseum, were firing on all cylinders early. The Winterhawks would out shoot the Pats 16-6 in the first period. Regina goaltender, Ewan Huet, was tested frequently. However, Huet was up to the challenge, and kept Portland off the board through the first period.
The Winterhawks then cranked the dial up a notch in the second period. Jan Špunar had a quiet middle frame, as Portland out shot Regina 19-3 in the second period. The pressure this offense applied was finding results as well. With 5:51 remaining in the period, Josh Zakreski would cycle the puck down low. Kyle McDonough would be in the corner, ready to receive the pass. McDonough would turn at the bottom of the faceoff circle, and throw the puck on net. The low angle shot would deflect off a defenseman’s stick on its way to Huet. Huet would make the save. However, Hudson Darby would be parked in front of the net, ready for a chance at the rebound. With great hand-eye coordination, Darby would jam the puck back on goal. As defenders collapsed on Darby, the puck would squeak through the pads of Huet and trickle into the back of the net. Darby would score his 7th goal of the year, and give the Winterhawks a 1-0 lead.
Moments later, Portland’s offense would keep the momentum going. Once again, Josh Zakreski would get things started by snatching the puck in the defensive zone. Zakreski would spot Josh Davies sprinting up the ice, recognizing the chance for a breakaway. Zakreski would bank a pass off the far boards for Davies. However, the pass went a bit farther than intended. With the puck just getting away from Davies, Huet came out of his crease to clear the puck to safety. Davies, still with a full head of steam, would stretch to poke the puck right as Huet slide into it. The puck would ricochet off the pads of Huet, off the helmet of Davies, and bounce into the goal crease. From there, Davies would swipe the rebound into the empty net. Davies goal would extend Portland’s lead to 2-0, with 2:51 remaining in the period.
The third and final goal for Portland would come early in the third period. The Winterhawks had established possession in the offensive zone. James Stefan would work the puck up high to Nate Danielson. Danielson was immediately pressured upon receiving the pass. However, Danielson would spin around the chasing defender, and move up towards the faceoff circle. From the top of the circle, Danielson would wrist a shot on net. The puck would stay low, but beat the leg and glove of Huet, and hit the twine on the far side of the net. Danielson would score his 20th goal of the season, with 15:03 remaining in regulation.
The Pats would put up another six shots in the third period, but Jan Špunar would stop all of them. The Winterhawks would end the game with a total of 49 shots, and would secure the 3-0 win over the Regina Pats.
Northwest Sports Desk 