Depth Delivers as Hawks Cruise Past T-Birds
Published on February 6, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release
Seven different Winterhawks found the scoresheet in Seattle tonight, while Ondrej Štěbeták stood tall with 25 saves as Portland skated to a convincing 7-3 victory.
Game #51: Portland (7) vs. Seattle (3)
SOG: POR (28) - SEA (36)
PP: POR (1/3) - SEA (0/7)
Saves: Štěbeták (33) - Sklenicka (12) and Malinoski (9)
SCORING:
POR - Luke Wilfley (7) from Jake Gustafson and Niko Tsakumis
POR - Max Pšenička (5) from Alex Weiermair and Jordan Duguay
SEA - Matej Pekar (17) from Coster Dunn and Noah Kosick
POR - Nathan Free (22) from Will McLaughlin and Ryan Miller (power play)
POR - Ben Miller (2) from Sam Spehar
POR - Carsyn Dyck (6)
SEA - Ethan Bibeau (4) from Matej Pekar
SEA - Marcus Laraque (3) from Matthew Gard
POR - Ryan Miller (21) from Alex Weiermair and Griffin Darby (short handed)
POR - Reed Brown (15) from Luke Wilfley
GAME SUMMARY:
The Winterhawks struck first 5:17 into tonight's rivalry matchup when a shot from Jake Gustafson caromed to the right circle, where Luke Wilfley was ready to clean up for his seventh goal of the season. Portland continued the momentum later in the first, as Alex Weiermair fed a wide-open Max Pšenička at the netfront, and he made no mistake burying his fifth of the year to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead after one.
Seattle got on the board at 8:09 of the second, cutting the deficit to 2-1. But Portland responded in a hurry as 30 seconds later Nathan Free cashed in his 10th power-play goal, one-timing a feed from the right circle past the T-birds' netminder. The scoring barrage continued as Sam Spehar won a faceoff that sprung Ben Miller, who ripped a wrist shot past his defender and the goalie to extend the lead to 4-1. Moments later, Carsyn Dyck stripped the puck at center and went end-to-end, finishing a breakaway to make it 5-1.
Seattle battled back with goals from Ethan Bibeau at 11:37 and Marcus Laraque at 15:37, trimming the lead to 5-3. But Portland answered again before the period ended: killing a penalty, Weiermair carried the puck into the attacking zone and centered to Ryan Miller, who netted his third short-handed goal of the season to push the lead back to three heading to the third.
In the final frame, Reed Brown added the finishing touch at 4:03, collecting the puck at the red line, outpacing his defender, and tucking home a finish from the right circle to seal a 7-3 Winterhawks victory.
UP NEXT:
The Portland Winterhawks host the Seattle Thunderbirds for the second game of the weekend doubleheader at the Glass Palace on Saturday at 6:00 p.m., continuing the 50 Years of Hawkey commemoration. The night features the unveiling of numbers 20-11 of the Top 50 Winterhawks of All Time, presented by KOIN.
Reminder, you can watch all Portland Winterhawks games on Victory+ for free all season long! Click here to visit the Winterhawks hub or download the Victory+ app on your smartphone or connected device.
The Portland Winterhawks are commemorating 50 Years of Hawkey this season with a year-long tribute to the team's rich history and legendary players. As part of the celebration, the Top 50 Winterhawks of All Time will be unveiled throughout the season-starting with an alphabetical reveal on October 25, and culminating in the announcement of the Top 10 on March 7, 2026. Fans can look forward to special events, tributes, and a season full of memories honoring five decades of Winterhawks hockey.
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Western Hockey League Stories from February 6, 2026
- Americans Finish Strong, But Fall, 5-3, In Penticton - Tri-City Americans
- Chiefs Fall to Last Place Giants, Play in Wenatchee Tomorrow - Spokane Chiefs
- Vees Return to Winning Ways - Penticton Vees
- Depth Delivers as Hawks Cruise Past T-Birds - Portland Winterhawks
- Sotheran Adds Name to History Books in Win over Moose Jaw - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Broncos Come up Short in Final Minute against Tigers - Swift Current Broncos
- Warriors Fall to Oil Kings - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Tigers Tame Broncos, 2-1, with Last Minute GWG - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Pats Rally for Point, Fall, 4-3, in Overtime to Blades at Brandt Centre - Regina Pats
- Jacobson's Hat Trick Not Enough as Injury-Ravaged Wheat Kings Fall to Hitmen - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Game Preview: Cougars vs. Rockets - Prince George Cougars
- Michael Mikan Signs with Rebels - Red Deer Rebels
- Oil Kings Recall Hejda - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Spokane Chiefs to Host 4th Annual Neurodiversity Awareness Night Presented by Spokane Colleges - Spokane Chiefs
- Rockets Sign Forward Ryan Oothoudt - Kelowna Rockets
- Game Preview: Vees vs Americans - Penticton Vees
- Game Preview: Game 50 at Broncos - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Wheat Kings Sign Brett Wilson - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Chiefs Look to Carry Momentum North as They Take on the Vancouver Giants Friday - Spokane Chiefs
- Oil Kings and Warriors Wrap up Season Series - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Warriors Continue Road Trip with Central Division Match Up - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Game Day Hub: February 6 at Seattle - Portland Winterhawks
- Rockets Head to Prince George for Double Header - Kelowna Rockets
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