WHL Portland Winterhawks

Defensive Battle Favors Victoria on Friday

Published on January 11, 2020 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


The Portland Winterhawks extend their point streak to 14 straight games, but they fall on the wrong end of a 2-1 overtime game. Recently acquired forward and Anaheim Ducks first round draft pick Brayden Tracey scored the overtime winner in his Royals debut.

The Hawks were the lone team to find the back of the net in the opening 20 minutes of play. In his return to the WHL, Joel Hofer made nine of his ten first period saves before the media timeout. Portland, however, turned momentum back in its favor and earned a late power play opportunity. The Winterhawks needed just six seconds of it to score the first goal of the night. Seth Jarvis slipped a quick feed to the slot for Reece Newkirk to one-time past former Winterhawk Shane Farkas.

The middle frame was all about the goaltenders. Hofer made two phenomenal sliding pad stops on odd-man rushes to keep Portland ahead 1-0 through 40 minutes of play. In the offensive zone, the Hawks hit two posts to keep it tied. Victoria hung on long enough and Keanu Derungs tied the game late in the third period on a rebound shot to eventually send it to overtime.

Portland took the first two shots of the overtime period, but Farkas sent them aside. During the second minute of the extra frame, Mitch Prowse, defended by Newkirk, drove hard to the net to generate a shot. The contact took out Hofer in the process and Newkirk swept the puck to a board. Brayden Tracey, though, swooped in and shot the loose puck in the net with Hofer still getting back on his skates to give the Royals their first overtime win of the season.

NOTABLES:

Reece Newkirk's point streak is now at 15 straight games (12G-8A). He leads the team with seven power play goals.

Shane Farkas stopped a season-high 42 shots in his first game against his former club. The lone goal he gave up was on the power play. He was recognized as the first star of the night.

Joel Hofer was the second star for his 29-save return from World Juniors.

The Hawks are 9-3-1-0 against B.C. Division opponents and they face Victoria on the road for the final time this regular season tomorrow night at 7:05pm.

Box Score (Click the hyperlink to find all the scoring details)

SHOTS ON GOAL:

POR: 43

VIC: 31

POWER PLAY:

POR: 1/4

VIC: 0/3

SAVES:

POR: Joel Hofer stopped 29-of-31 shots.

VIC: Shane Farkas stopped 42-of-43 shots.

Check out the Portland Winterhawks Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 11, 2020


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