The Portland Winterhawks dropped a 3-2 loss against the Kamloops Blazers on Thursday night. This was the first overtime loss of the season for the Winterhawks. Previously, Portland had defeated Prince George in both overtime and a shootout. With this loss, Portland is now 6-3-1 through the first ten games of the year.
Portland was ready to return to Veterans Memorial Coliseum, as they had four straight road games before this Thursday night matchup. Kamloops on the other hand, was looking to bounce back from a 5-2 home loss just two nights before.
The home crowd was quickly quieted by an early Kamloops goal. Blazers forward Harrison Brunicke would connect a pass from the boards to the opposite faceoff circle in the offensive zone. Receiving his pass was Conner Radke, who then looked for a shot on net. Ondrej Štěbeták would make the save, but the rebound would be trickle out to the top of the crease. Brunicke would sweep at the loose puck, and it would ricochet off Josh Zakreski, and bounce into the Winterhawks net. The Blazers would take a 1-0 lead, just 1:47 into the first period.
Brunicke’s goal would hold as the only goal until the third period. However, momentum was on the Winterhawks side. Portland had just out shot Kamloops 16-3 in the second period. Their onslaught of offense would be rewarded early in the third period. The Winterhawks found themselves on a 5 on 3 powerplay, with puck possession in the offensive zone. From the point, Carter Sotheran would pass across to Tyson Jugnauth. Jugnauth would wind up for a slap shot, then pass the puck between defenders to Kyle Chyzowski. Chyzowski would quickly redirect the puck on net, sliding it past Blazers goaltender Dylan Ernst. Chyzowski’s seventh goal of the year would tie the game just 46 seconds in to the third period.
However, Portland’s powerplay was not done. Just over one minute later, and the Winterhawks would strike again. This time, Kayd Ruedig would wrist a shot from the point, forcing a leg pad save by Dylan Ernst. Positioned next to the net, Tyson Yaremko would dig the puck free, and backhand the rebound into the net. Thanks to a second powerplay goal, the Winterhawks had jumped out to a 2-1 lead.
There was still plenty of time remaining in the third period, and Kamloops would find their opportunity to strike back on their own powerplay. A cross check call on Cole Slobodian would start the Blazers on the man up advantage, with 8:17 remaining in regulation. The Blazers would win the offensive zone faceoff, and the puck would be shifted to Matteo Koci along the boards. Koci would quickly work the puck down low to John Szabo behind the net. From there, Szabo would spot Nathan Behm inside the opposite faceoff circle. Behm would receive a pass from Szabo, and quickly wrist a shot on net. The puck would just barely sneak between the arm and chest of Štěbeták, who was tight to the post. However, the puck would tumble lightly into the back of the net, and Kamloops would tie the game at 2-2.
The game would remain a tie until 1:47 into overtime. A defenseman for Portland would unsuccessfully pinch in, in the offensive zone. This left Jordan Keller and Tommy Lafreniere in a two on one rush. From the faceoff circle, Keller would backhand a pass across to Lafreniere. The puck would bounce off Lafreniere’s right skate, and hop up in the air. Lafreniere would bat the puck out of the air, and it would beat Štěbeták inside the far post. The Blazers would win in overtime, 3-2.
The Winterhawks’ next game is Saturday, Oct. 19th, against the Everett Silvertips with puck drop set for 6:00 p.m.
Northwest Sports Desk 