13,542 Teddy Bears Fly as Hawks Dominate T-Birds 7-2
Published on December 9, 2023 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release
Portland, Ore. - James Stefan sent 13,542 teddy bears flying, Jack O'Brien netted a hat-trick and Josh Zakreski scored twice as the Winterhawks dominated the Seattle Thunderbirds by a 7-2 final in front of a sold-out VMC on Saturday night. Justen Maric stopped 32 of 34 shots for his second straight win this weekend and the Hawks move to 17-9-1-1 on the year.
After potting a hat-trick in Friday's win over Spokane, Stefan stayed hot with the teddy bear goal at 16:32 of the first period on Saturday. Standing at the back post, Stefan took a cross-crease pass from Gabe Klassen and chipped it over the shoulder over Scott Ratzlaff for the early lead. Stefan joins Marcus Nguyen as active Winterhawks with a Teddy Bear Toss goal to their name.
After the delay to clean up the thousands of bears, Portland wasted little time getting back to work, opening up a 4-0 lead through two periods. Zakreski netted the first 1:43 into the middle frame with a shot off the rush, followed seven minutes later by a Carter Sotheran power-play goal from range. O'Brien then joined the fun with another strike on the man advantage to secure the four-goal lead. Newcomer Tyson Jugnauth earned his first two WHL points with assists on Sotheran and O'Brien's goals.
Seattle began to climb back into the contest with goals from Sawyer Mynio and Luca Hauf early in the third, but O'Brien quickly snuffed out any comeback bid with two goals in six minutes to complete the hat-trick. The first of those came in similar fashion to Stefan's, as a Klassen feed came through the crease to O'Brien at the back door, while his second arrived on a one-timer from a Marcus Nguyen feed from behind the net. From there, the rout was on, and Zakreski put a bow on things with another left-wing laser for the 7-2 win.
The Hawks are back in action tomorrow in Everett at 4:05 P.M., and the game will be carried through WHL Live.
-- WINTERHAWKS.COM -
Western Hockey League Stories from December 9, 2023
- Wheat Kings Pile up Six, Win Fifth Straight Over Blazers - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Oil Kings Edged by Tigers - Edmonton Oil Kings
- 13,542 Teddy Bears Fly as Hawks Dominate T-Birds 7-2 - Portland Winterhawks
- Warriors Drop Tight Battle Against Blades on Saturday - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Mistelbacher Magic Leads Broncos to Win Over Hurricanes - Swift Current Broncos
- Berge Records First Career Hat-Trick in 5-4 Loss - Regina Pats
- Tastad Notches First Pair of WHL Points, Blades Beat Warriors 4-3 - Saskatoon Blades
- Cougars Host Royals for Highly Anticipated Teddy and Toque Toss Night - Prince George Cougars
- Preview: Americans vs Wild - December 9 - Tri-City Americans
- Game Day Hub: December 9 vs. Seattle - Portland Winterhawks
- Game Day Preview: Game 29 at Edmonton - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Preview: Oil Kings vs. Medicine Hat Tigers - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Americans End Skid by Topping Seattle - Tri-City Americans
- Silvertips Earn 4-1 Victory Over Vancouver on Teddy Bear Toss - Everett Silvertips
- Tigers Take Opener of Home at Home with Edmonton - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Catton, Roulette Each Log Four-Point Nights in 8-5 Loss to Winterhawks - Spokane Chiefs
- Stefan Stars as Hawks Top Chiefs 8-5 - Portland Winterhawks
- Royals Earn Fourth Consecutive Win With 5-3 Victory Over Cougars - Prince George Cougars
- Penalties Hurt Broncos in Loss to Hurricanes - Swift Current Broncos
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