The Portland Winterhawks shocked the WHL with a 4-2 win against the Everett Silvertips this Tuesday night in game seven. Everett entered the playoffs as the number one seed, with the best regular season record in the league. The Winterhawks were the five seed of the Western Conference and have now won back-to-back playoff series while trailing on the road in game seven. With the win, Portland will now advance to the Western Conference Finals for the second year in a row.
Angel of the Winds Arena was packed for this series finale between Portland and Everett. In the first period, both offenses were flying around, creating scoring chances. Ondrej Štěbeták had an impressive recovery save on Everett’s second power-play of the night. Dominik Rymon had a dangerous chance from the top of the right faceoff circle. Štěbeták would make a kick save, and block the immediate rebound attempt by Julius Miettinen. Portland was also shut down on their first period power-play, leaving the game scoreless after the first period.
The first goal of the game would come in period two. Julius Miettinen would win an offensive zone faceoff back to Eric Jamieson for Everett. Jamieson would hold the puck, then wrist a shot that would be blocked at the point. The puck would then fall to Dominik Rymon, who would spin and fire a slap shot on net. Štěbeták would make the save, but the puck would roll over his shoulder and sit behind him in the crease. Landon DuPont would then race in, and sweep the loose puck into the net. The rookie defenseman would score his fifth goal of the postseason, and the Silvertips would take 1-0 lead with half the period left to play.
The Winterhawks knew they needed a response, and their offense came alive in the second period. Portland tallied 18 shots in the middle frame, and none larger than Kyle Chyzowski’s chance with 39 seconds left. The play would start with Tyson Jugnauth finding Diego Buttazzoni at the blue line. Buttazzoni would be cut off as he entered the offensive zone. However, Buttazzoni was still able to lead a pass for Kyle Chyzowski. From the top of the faceoff circle, Chyzowski would protect the puck from an Everett defenseman. Shouldering them off, Chyzowski got to the top of the goal crease, and deked across to his forehand. Silvertips goaltender Raiden LeGall was sliding over to make a save at the near post, and was completely fooled by the move. Chyzowski would score his 11th goal of the postseason, and the Winterhawks would enter the third period tied at 1-1.
In the third period, it was Everett who would grab the early momentum. Just three minutes into the period, Austin Roest would catch a pass Kaden Hammell in the neutral zone. As they crossed the offensive blue line, Roest would pass to his left for Lukas Kaplan. Kaplan would drag the puck back, then fire a wrist shot on net. The shot would rip past Štěbeták’s blocker side, and stay inside the the near post. Kaplan’s goal would put Everett back in the lead, 2-1.
With time and momentum now working against the Winterhawks, someone had to step up and make a play. Fortunately for Portland, a familiar hero would emerge with 12:23 remaining in regulation. The puck would get dumped into Everett’s defensive zone, and kick out off the back wall. LeGall would then accidentally poke the puck away from his defenseman, leaving it free in the corner. Hudson Darby, who scored the game winning goal against Everett in Game 5 of this series, would win the race to the loose puck. From the corner, Darby would then loft the puck back towards the crease. As LeGall was sliding back to his net, the puck would hit the side of his helmet, and fall over the goal line. The rookie from Swift Current, Saskatchewan, would tie the game for Portland at 2-2.
Then, just 30 seconds later, the Winterhawks would strike again. Breaking out of their own zone, Carter Sotheran would find Hudson Darby at the blue line. Upon catching Sotheran’s pass, Darby would turn and weave his way through the neutral zone. Seizing his opportunity, Darby would turn on the jets and split Everett’s defensemen at the offensive blue line. With only the goalie to beat, Darby would juke to his left, and attempt a backhand shot. LeGall would stay with Darby, and make the leg pad save. However, the rebound would jump out free to the top of the crease. Crashing the net, Kyle McDonough would fork the puck back on target, and score his second ever postseason goal. With 11:53 remaining in regulation, the Winterhawks would take a 3-2 lead.
The Silvertips poured on 14 shots in the third period, looking for an equalizer. Unfortunately for Everett, another miscommunication would lead to a Too Many Men penalty with 1:27 remaining in the third. Eventually, the Silvertips would get their chance to pull the goaltender, and earn an offensive zone faceoff with 20.4 seconds to go. Miettinen even won the offensive zone faceoff for Everett, but a pass from Roest to DuPont would be intercepted by the stick of Diego Buttazzoni. Buttazzoni rifled the puck down the length of the ice, and into the empty net, solidifying a 4-2 victory for the Winterhawks.
The Winterhawks’ next opponents will be the Spokane Chiefs, who eliminated the Victoria Royals in double overtime of game six. Game one of the series will go at 7:05 p.m. Friday in Spokane.
Northwest Sports Desk 