The Portland Winterhawks won their first game of the 2025-2026 campaign on Sunday night, with a 3-2 Overtime win against the Everett Silvertips. The last time the Winterhawks faced off against Everett, was back on April 22nd. Portland won Game 7 of their playoff series by a score of 4-2, and advanced to the Conference Finals. This season, the Winterhawks looked to bounce back from going 0-2 at Prince George on their opening weekend. The Silvertips on the other hand, were 2-0 entering Sunday’s contest with back to back wins against the Wenatchee Wild.
The scoring at the Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett wouldn’t open up until halfway through the second period. In Portland’s defensive zone, Matias Vanhanen would rotate the puck down behind the net to Julius Miettinen. From the trapezoid, Miettinen would then immediately backhand a pass out to the front of the net. Shea Busch would be there to catch the pass, and one time a shot on net. The puck would flutter over the glove of Winterhawks goaltender Ondrej Štěbeták, and find the back of the net. With 8:26 left in the second period, the Silvertips would grab a 1-0 lead.
Then just three minutes later, Everett would strike again. This time, Jesse Heslop would win the battle for the loose puck in the neutral zone. From the boards, Heslop would force the puck towards the middle. There to receive the puck in the neutral zone for the Silvertips was Clarke Schaefer. Schaefer would wheel to the outside as he entered the offensive zone. Protecting the puck, Schaefer would threaten a backhand shot from the faceoff dot. Cutting towards the front of the net, Schaefer proceeded to elevate his backhand shot near post on Štěbeták. The puck would sneak over Štěbeták’s elbow, and strike the back of the net. Schaefer’s first goal of the year would give the Silvertips a 2-0 lead.
Despite Everett’s offense piling on shots in the second frame, the Winterhawks offense was undeterred. With under two minutes to go in the second period, Portland’s forecheck would create an opportunity. Rookie Sam Spehar would jar the puck free along the boards behind the Silvertips net. After gaining control, Spehar would quickly throw the puck to the front of the net. All alone at the top of the crease to receive Spehar’s pass was Nathan Brown. As Brown shifted towards the middle, he would fire a wrist shot past the glove of Everett goaltender Raiden LeGall. The puck would stay inside the far post, and the Winterhawks would cut the Silvertips lead down to 2-1.
Everett would hold the lead until 4:16 into the third period. Jordan Duguay would shuffle the puck up to Alex Weiermair, who would enter the offensive zone for the Winterhawks. Stopping at the top of the faceoff circle, Weiermair would look to pass the puck across the ice. With no options available though, Weiermair would turn towards the net, and fire a wrist shot on goal. The puck would sneak under the arm of LeGall, and stay inside the near post. Weiermair’s first goal of the season would tie the Winterhawks and Silvertips at 2-2.
A strong effort by Štěbeták and Portland’s defense would get the Winterhawks to overtime. However, it wouldn’t take long to find a game winner. Just 40 seconds into the extra period, the Winterhawks would strike gold. First, Ryan Miller would saunter over the offensive blue line for Portland. As the defense encroached, Miller would find a gap to pass the puck back to the middle for Nathan Free. From the high slot, Free would rip a wrist shot past Everett’s defense on net. The puck would fly under LeGall’s glove and over his leg pad. Staying inside the far post Free’s second goal of the season would give the Winterhawks the 3-2 overtime win.
Portland’s road trip continues next week, with their first ever game against the Penticton Vees on Friday, Oct. 3. Puck drop at the South Okanagan Events Centre is at 7:05 p.m.
Northwest Sports Desk 