The Portland Winterhawks lost their first game of the regular season in an 8-2 score line to the Everett Silvertips. This was the Winterhawks third straight road game. However, this was the only game scheduled for Portland over the last weekend of September. The Winterhawks have been out shot in all three of their games this season.
Portland entered Angel of the Winds Arena looking to keep their momentum from opening weekend rolling. However, it was the Silvertips who would strike early and often in the first period. Tarin Smith would find Dominik Rymon in front of the net for the first goal of the game, just 4:37 into the action. Then three minutes later, Everett would win an offensive zone faceoff back to the blue line. A shot by Kaden Hammell would find its way though traffic, and ping off the far post. From there, Julius Miettinen got his stick behind the goaltender, and easily swiped the puck into the net.
Unfortunately for Portland, the Silvertips would find one more goal in the first period. A breakout pass from the boards would find Jesse Heslop sprinting forward. Finding a gap, Heslop would split the defenders and score a breakaway goal. With 8:34 remaining in the period, Everett would take a 3-0 lead.
The second period saw more offensive pressure from the Silvertips. Just over six minutes into the second period, Andrew Petruk would score a rebound goal off a point shot to extend Everett’s lead. Then, just over two minutes later, Everett would score a 4 on 4 goal. With Tyson Jugnauth and Rylan Pearce in the box, the Silvertips found an opportunity to create a 3 on 2 rush. The late rush by Dominik Rymon, combined with his patience and vision, allowed Rymon to find Tyler MacKenzie for a backdoor goal.
After five unanswered goals, the Winterhawks decided to substitute Ondrej Štěbeták at goaltender for Luke Brunen. The change at goaltender gave Portland a brief moment to reset the momentum of the match. Nearly four minutes after the switch, the Winterhawks would score their first goal of the game. A stretch pass would find Jordan Duguay unguarded at the center ice line. Rather than turning to skate, Duguay would spot Kyle Chyzowski staking at the attacking blue line. Chyzowski would catch a pass from Duguay, and split the defense for a mini breakaway. Between the faceoff circles, Chyzowski loaded up a wrist shot, and fired it past the glove of Everett goalkeeper Jesse Sanche. Chyzowski’s goal would be the last of the second period.
In the third period, the Silvertips offense continued to make plays. Four minutes into the period, Caden Brown would score his first goal of the season to give Everett a 6-1 lead. Then late in the period, the Silvertips power-play would go to work. With a two man advantage, Tarin Smith would uncork a powerful slapshot from the high slot. Smith’s shot would beat the glove of Luke Brunen, and extend Everett’s lead to 7-1.
The Winterhawks would find one more goal with 2:16 remaining in regulation. A shot from Tyson Jugnauth would be redirected by Kyle Chyzowski in front of the net. Chyzowski’s 5th goal of the season would cut Everett’s lead down to 7-2. However, Nolan Chastko would score an 8th goal for the Silvertips in the final minute of play.
The Winterhawks’ next game is their home opener on October 4th, against the Victoria Royals. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Northwest Sports Desk 