The Portland Winterhawks took the past week off to work their returning veterans back into regular rotation. After taking a 5 game losing streak to start the season, the Hawks looked to rebound against the team that started their slump. The Seattle Thunderbirds, who took a 4-1 win on opening night had also been on a bit of a slide themselves, unable to win any games since then.
Portland started their game with Seattle with much stronger determination and firepower, blasting six times the number of shots that Seattle would get in the first period, but were only able to score one goal, that by Evan Weinger, a newcomer to the Hawks this season. Seattle would tie it midway through the second period on a screened shot. It was time for the highlight reel goal as Portland went on the penalty kill. While Josha Smith went the penalty box for slashing, Portland went to work in their own zone, preventing any real chances for the Thunderbirds to get anything. Chase DeLeo freed the puck and sent Oliver Bjorkstrand down the right wing. With a deadly snapshot, Bjorkstrand roofed it to give Portland the lead again while shorthanded.
Midway through the third Seattle struck on the power play to knot the game at 2. Portland picked up their third goal when Paul Bittner pocketed his third goal of the season, but Seattle wasn’t done as they tied it just thirty seconds later and the two teams deadlocked at 3 at the end of regulation. It would mark the first guaranteed point of the season for the Winterhawks. Overtime proved equally as frustrating as neither team was able to get good enough scoring chances and the game would be decided in a shootout. Portland was only able to get one goal in the three rounds with Seattle netting two and a 4-3 victory. Portland would have no time to dwell on the loss as they hit the road for three games.
They started the following night they hit the road against Everett, a team that took two wins against the Hawks, the last one a very close loss by an empty net goal. Portland started where it left off with Seattle, by opening the scoring. But, in similar fashion to the night prior, the game was tied and they two teams traded goals, ending with a 2-2 tie at the end of regulation. This time, overtime proved to be the deciding factor as Alex Schoenborn scored his first of the season midway through the period to win it for the Hawks. Winterhawks defenseman Layne Viveiros got two assists on the night and earned first star honors.
The Winterhawks were able to snap a six game losing streak and are looking to start their ascent up the division ladder. They’ll have chances this upcoming week with games in Victoria and another battle versus Everett, before Portland gets another crack against Seattle at home.
Portland had also made a deal this past week with Medicine Hat Tigers to obtain Miles Koules, a proven scoring force, but also a twenty year-old which puts Portland with too many overeager players. With defenseman Josh Hanson just returning from a broken finger, recent arrival Travis McEvoy and training camp standout on defense, Joshua Smith also in the twenty year-old category, Portland has this coming week to determine which of those 3 players will remain. Nic Petan was just assigned back to Portland from the Winnipeg Jets which means they will have a complete roster in Victoria.
Ice Chips:
The Portland Winterhawks Booster Club is filling the bus to Prince George which is leaving in January. They have other fan trips scheduled to Kennewick and Kent as well with details available at http://www.pwhbc.com/fantrips.html The Portland Winterhawks will have a player appearance in Vancouver, WA on Wednesday October 8 from 4 to 6pm, players to be announced.
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