The Portland Winterhawks dropped a 7-2 loss to the Seattle Thunderbirds Friday night. This was the seventh meeting between I-5 rivals this season. Entering the game, Portland had a 3-3 record against Seattle and had outscored the Thunderbirds 24-21. Their last meeting was February 17 when the Winterhawks won 4-3 in regulation.
The first goal of the game came courtesy of an early Seattle power play. Keeping the puck in the zone led to a shot from high in the faceoff circle. Braeden Cootes’ shot would hit the post near side on Ondrej Štěbeták, then bounce off Štěbeták’s back and trickle towards the net. A flurry of sticks would try to make a play on the puck, but Seattle’s Coster Dunn would jab it past the line and take the early 1-0 lead just 5:24 into the action.
Then, Seattle would strike again with 11:39 remaining in period number one. A turnover down low would lead to a pass to the point for Ashton Cumby. Cumby’s slap shot would be saved, but the rebound would be backhanded home short side by Simon Lovsin. Lovsin’s eighth goal of the year would extend Seattle’s lead to 2-0.
The Thunderbirds offense wasn’t done, as they would find a third goal with 6:55 to go in the first period. Hard work down low by Antonio Martorana lead to a short angle shot from in close. Štěbeták would make the save, but then Martorana would swipe the puck back across the face of the crease. With players battling in front of the net, the puck was nearly tipped in. Štěbeták would make another diving save, and the puck would fall to the far post. From there, Martorana was able to hustle around the back of the net, and fork the puck past the outstretched glove of Štěbeták for his 12th goal of the year.
Portland would find their first goal of the game with 4:22 remaining in the first period. Keeping the puck in the zone, a pass from down low by Kyle Chyzowski would find Ryder Thompson at the point. Thompson would walk the blue line, and wrist a shot from the center lane. Thompson’s shot would beat Seattle goaltender, Scott Ratzlaff, low blocker side. Thompson’s ninth goal of the year would cut the Thunderbirds lead to 3-1, and be the last goal of the first period.
Unfortunately for Portland, Seattle started the second period off just as strong as the first. The Thunderbirds would find a 4th goal just 59 seconds into period two. From the blue line, Hyde Davidson would pass the puck down to Braeden Cootes at goal line extended. Cootes would then turn, and center a pass above the goal crease. Coster Dunn was tied up in front of the net with a Portland defenseman, and the puck would redirect off Dunn’s skate towards the net. Expecting the puck to glide cleanly through, Štěbeták would slide past, and the puck would find its way to the back of the net.
Knowing that a response was needed, Portland controlled the remainder of the second period. The Winterhawks out shot Seattle 23 to 7 in the second frame, and created two power-plays that generated plenty of scoring chances. However, Ratzlaff was having a great night. The Buffalo Sabre’s prospect was tracking the puck cleanly, and not allowing rebound chances. Ratzlaff’s efforts helped the Thunderbirds maintain a 4-1 lead heading into the third period.
In the third period, Seattle’s offense continued to find success. With 12:21 remaining, Štěbeták made a save on screened shot, but the cleared rebound was kept in by Antonio Martorana. Martorana then passed the puck back for a teed up one timer by Ashton Cumby. Cumby’s shot would fly past Štěbeták, extending Seattle’s lead to 5-1.
With the clock working against them, Portland knew they needed to respond quickly. Roughly 40 seconds later, the Winterhawks would do just that. As Portland cycled the puck down low, Josh Zakreski would find the space for a wrap around attempt. However, upon turning above the goal line, Zakreski would turn down his chance at the short angle shot. Instead, Zakreski slid a pass to the front of the net. From there, Diego Buttazzoni would receive Zakreski’s pass, and wrist a quick shot past Ratzlaff’s blocker. Buttazzoni’s 34th goal of the year would make the score 5-2 Seattle.
Unfortunately for Portland, the Thunderbirds offense was not done. Seattle would find one more off of their own wrap around attempt. This time, Simon Lovsin’s shot would beat Štěbeták’s leg to the post, and the Thunderbirds would advance to a 6-2 lead with 4:55 remaining in the game.
The final goal of the game would come just 43 seconds later. A penalty shortly after Lovsin’s second goal put the Thunderbirds back on the power-play. This time, Nathan Pilling would score for Seattle. Assists from Brayden Schuurman and Radim Mrtka would put the Thunderbirds up 7-2, to end the Friday night matchup.
The Winterhawks have a rematch against Seattle on Saturday, March 8, in the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent, Washington. Puck drop is at 6:05 p.m.
Northwest Sports Desk 