Brad Ross And Ryan Johansen Combine For Seven Points In 4-3 Win
Published on December 30, 2009 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release
On a night when the Winterhawks game was delayed almost two hours due to the snow storm that hit Portland Tuesday, the team eventually earned a 4-3 win over Spokane.
The traffic snarl that engulfed the city caused both Winterhawks players and referees to be late to the game, forcing the one hour and 45 minute delay until everyone could make it. A local refereeing crew had to be summoned as the incoming officials were stuck in traffic trying to get into town, making it midway through the first period.
When the game finally got underway just before 9 p.m., Portland opened the scoring 5:03 into the first when Ryan Johansen dug the puck out from a scrum along the end boards, chipped it to Brad Ross who deflected the puck into the slot, where Oliver Gabriel fired it past Spokane goaltender James Reid for his first of the season to make it 1-0. The Chiefs tied the game before the end of the first when Mitch Wahl stole the puck in the neutral zone, carried it into Portland's end and dropped it for Kyle Beach, who fired a shot past Winterhawks netminder Ian Curtis to tie the game at 1-1 heading into the second period.
Portland extended the lead to 2-1 midway through the second on a power play when Chris Francis fed Ross in front of the net, with Ross putting it home for his 18th goal of the season. The Winterhawks built on the lead five minutes later when Ross went behind the Spokane net and made a behind-the-back pass that bounced off the stick of a Spokane defender right to Johansen at the corner, who fired it past Reid to make it 3-1 for Portland.
Spokane then came back with two goals to tie the game in the third period, the first by Blake Gal, the second at the 11:16 mark by Beach. With just over two minutes remaining and overtime looming, Johansen blocked a shot in front of Spokane's net, gathered the puck and slid it past Reid for the game-winner. It was Portland's second win over Spokane in three days after defeating them 5-4 Sunday night.
Ross ended up contributing to each Portland goal, with a goal and three assists. Johansen chipped in three points with two goals and an assist.
Ian Curtis earned the win in net for Portland, stopping 30 of 33 shots. Portland fired 41 shots at Reid, who turned away 37 of them.
The Winterhawks return to the ice Thursday night in their annual New Year's Eve game at 8 p.m. at the Rose Garden against the Seattle Thunderbirds.
Western Hockey League Stories from December 30, 2009
- Blades Hold On For 4-3 Victory In Seattle - Saskatoon Blades
- Americans Trade Martyniuk To Regina - Tri-City Americans
- Calgary Hitmen Donate Over $7,000 To Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank - Calgary Hitmen
- Sbisa Punches Ticket To Vancouver Olympics - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Blades Alumnus Erat Makes Team Czech Republic - Saskatoon Blades
- Wheat Kings Obtain Veteran Raedeke - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Blades Begin Tour Of U.S. Division Against T-Birds - Saskatoon Blades
- Canada Improves To 3-0 - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Pechurskiy Blanks 'Tips 1-0 In WHL Debut - Tri-City Americans
- Brad Ross And Ryan Johansen Combine For Seven Points In 4-3 Win - Portland Winterhawks
- Americans Shut Out Silvertips, 1-0 - Everett Silvertips
- Oil Kings Salvage Point Versus Lethbridge - Edmonton Oil Kings
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